Skip to main content

Siri could be giving up your secrets, even if your iPhone is locked

http://uat4.www.digitaltrends.com/features/dt10-clothing/
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If physical locks can be picked, it stands to reason that our digital locks can be broken, too. And sometimes, it doesn’t even take a mastermind hacker to access information protected by a password. In fact, iPhone owners may be horrified to find out that their trusty personal assistant is giving them up. That’s right — Siri, whom you’ve always trusted to help you out in a tight spot, may not be as loyal as you think.

A Twitter user recently discovered that even a locked iPhone can reveal many of your secrets — or at least quite a bit of your personal information. As @afronomics_ explained in a series of tweets, after she found a locked iPhone in a bathroom and tried to return it to its rightful owner, she found out just how much Siri was willing to divulge when it comes to her owner’s data.

“I asked siri what’s my name,” @afronomics_ tweeted, “It pulled up her info. Cool. I asked Siri who do I call most. Pulled up her recent calls. Cool.” More like yikes.

https://twitter.com/afronomics_/status/833780462967455749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

And that’s not the only information Siri was willing to give up. The Twitter user was able to find her recent call log, her notifications, her first and last name, where she lived, and the location of her car. “It was that easy,” @afronomics_ wrote, noting that she could’ve asked for directions to the iPhone owner’s car and home. Truly a frightening thought.

https://twitter.com/afronomics_/status/833782347308867585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

But don’t worry, friends. Not only was the iPhone returned to its rightful owner, but the finder also gave her a few tips on how to ensure that Siri wouldn’t be so loose-lipped. All you have to do is head over to Settings, navigate to Touch ID & Passcode, then under “Allow Access When Locked,” turn off Siri, Today’s View, and Notification View. Because you have enough to worry about on a daily basis without worrying about what Siri is telling strangers about you.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Apple may face ‘severe’ iPhone 15 shortage over production issue, report says
The Apple logo on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Hoping to get your hands on an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max when the new phones come out in the fall? Well, you may be in for a wait.

Apple is experiencing production issues caused by a new manufacturing process designed to significantly reduce the size of the bezel around the display, according to a report from The Information on Thursday.

Read more
An iPhone just sold for a crazy amount at auction
An original, unsealed iPhone.

An original, still-boxed iPhone. LCG Auctions

Rare iPhones have been going under the hammer for some large sums in recent months, and the latest auction to feature one of the first Apple handsets has just smashed the record for such a device.

Read more
I’ll be furious if the iPhone 15 Pro doesn’t get this one feature
A black iPhone 14 Pro lying on a table.

It’s peak summer season, but that also means we’re getting closer to Apple’s fall event in September. This is typically when we expect the next generation of iPhones and Apple Watches.

This year, we’re expecting the iPhone 15 lineup, which should include the standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. On top of that, it’s safe to say that we should also see the Apple Watch Series 9, but whether we’re getting a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra is still up in the air. And new AirPods? Who knows! Regardless, it will be exciting and jam-packed with a ton of new products.

Read more