alt Hacker NewsI said no and Apple said yes
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I don't know what metric Apple implemented that has caused these engagement spam prompts (ads) to appear in their platform, but I want none of it. I've turned Siri off in the latest macOS and iOS because it's so damn slow. I'm bullish on local LLM compute but Apple it's not ready yet or not in the way you've integrated into the user interface! When I am attempting to search for an app on my system I don't want an AI response that takes 2 seconds to start. I want to see the filtered list of apps immediately. When I want to search a term I want the results immediately with any slow AI interpretation fed in asynchronous. It's painful as hell to try and use the new Siri and be resigned to wait a few seconds for any sort of answer. The worst part is you have to wait 2 seconds and then 98% of the time Siri is wrong our outdated and you have to redo the query somewhere else. When it became more convenient to jump into chatgpt or claude I pulled the plug on the new Siri.
Author claims the system setting "Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence Report > Report Duration" with its 3 options [Off | 15 minutes | 7 days] sends that data to Apple with that frequency. This is wrong - this is a transparency report so that you as a user can see everything that is getting sent to Apple as a part of Apple Intelligence. Nothing additionally is getting sent to apple if you switch this away from "Off".
It's placed right next to a similar report for the user to see which apps generally connect to the internet and to which domains.
Basically, the main point of the article, "I discovered that macOS 15.3 had enabled a feature that was phoning home every 15 minutes with personal data" is not true.
You ever notice how Apple never really lets the user say "no" to their nudges?
It's always "maybe later" and never "no seriously, I don't want this, go away"
If you want to own your computer, linux is where it's at. Windows is rusty iron chains and MacOS's are gold-plated silver pretending to be gold, but they're still chains.
The Internet is suggesting a bunch of hacks and undocumented defaults commands to run.
Meanwhile the Mac User Guide explains how to disable Apple Intelligence throughout Golden Gate:
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/turn-restrict-acces...
Here's the version for iPhone:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph3fed3f2c3/io...
For iPad:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/ipad/ipad3b7f1217/ipad...
One solution is likely the same as the one that stops every other iOS update from re-enabling iCloud password sync: Create a profile using Apple configurator <https://apps.apple.com/de/app/id1037126344> that forbids all these AI features and upload it to your devices.
The other solution is to say goodbye to these products that don't respect you.
By the way, if you're annoyed by the new huge "sync" menu entry on Firefox, you can disable it under about:config by setting identity.fxaccounts.enabled to false. Again, a lack of respect, this time by Firefox, for forcing this stuff down our throats. I'm only using Firefox because the alternatives are worse in terms of privacy. Ladybird, we're waiting for you!
> The AI industrial complex does not do consent. You will use it.
I posted a thread on thr MacRumors forum making a similar point. I tried to couch it in the language of Apple being inconsistent with Apple Intelligence. You can’t turn it off anymore globally but Apple provides the user the ability to block, not turn off, some parts of it. Even then you can’t block everything, like the Apple Intelligence parts of the Photos app. Even if you turn off Siri that stuff sticks around. But iOS 27 does not require Apple Intelligence to function or anything like that because my 4th gen iPad Air can’t run Apple Intelligence but can run iPadOS 27 just fine.
> The “AI” industry has many flaws, the word “consent” being seemingly missing from training data and company handbooks is one of them
Yes! The most consentless (don't underline this in red firefox!) technology that I can think of certainly.
edit: also install and use Linux
The answer is simple: Regulation to grant users the right to refuse during installation/setup of a system. This must also include updates. This feel like a repeat of the EU browser choice rule!
I'm convinced we have crossed a threshold where compute is no longer personal, it's platformed. "They" don't want you to have control over your machine as they don't trust you with it. They want you to buy the things they want you to buy, envy the people they want you to envy, submit your data to the collective, so they can control markets and industries for profit and greed.
Linux is our only hope and even that is plagued by corporate interests. I'm going back to 1994 days and only using tech for work. I have shunned social media, youtube, netflix, hulu. I have shunned subscription based SaaS. I'm tired boss.
This is a very interesting shift with Apple where customers are starting to perceive it as hostile company.
I feel the same way. I'm not completely against the technology, but please let me say "no" and remove the models and kill the processes.
Moved on to PopOS long ago, and am loving it, especially with the COSMIC desktop now. I just feel so much less worried. Today’s LLMs with their agent harnesses take the past hassle of configuring and maintaining your Linux desktop completely off the table. No more hour long digging and research after an update, just let your AI keep your machine in shape. No proprietary software spying on you. Problem solved :)
“Workaround to avoid downloading AI models and save storage”
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49787535
https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOSBeta/comments/1vlnf13/workarou...
I'm done with Apple. Got rid of my iPhone and back on android (GrapheneOS) and very impresses after playing with Omarchy for a few weeks.
I think we will keep reading more and more of these Apple stories and it feels like shit is getting worse as time goes by
Why Did You Buy An Iphone/Mac If You Wanted Freedom?
Heck, even on Macos 26, I have all the Siri and intelligence toggles turned off. Yet all these processes sitting around.
(me) 11386 0.0 0.1 435334816 22528 ?? S 3:26AM 0:03.89 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/VoiceShortcuts.framework/Versions/A/Support/siriactionsd
(me) 1099 0.0 0.0 435344416 3360 ?? Ss 27Aug26 0:01.95 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SiriSuggestionsSupport.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices/SiriSuggestionsBookkeepingService.xpc/Contents/MacOS/SiriSuggestionsBookkeepingService
(me) 941 0.0 0.0 435440384 3776 ?? S 27Aug26 0:04.52 /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SiriInference.framework/Versions/A/siriinferencedI don't know about Macs, but under iOS/iPadOS you can set a Siri region to somewhere it's unsupported (e.g. Russia) to truly disable it.
It gets back about 15 gigabytes of storage and removes additional stuffs you couldn't disable by setting Screen Time options, such as the Safari Reader's gigantic "summarize" button.
Why does anyone who seems to be working in the software industry even think that immediately updating to the latest major release is ever a good idea?
Run Linux, Virtualizise windows or Mac OS be happy.
The cost? You have to research a machine that will run Linux, not everyone can do this. I'm quite happy with my hp zbook is it a mac, no bit it's as close as I can go.
This drives me crazy! My iPad is perpetually never finished setting up (and my Windows Laptop after a year for similar reasons) because I have never said yes to the thing I can't say no to: AI.
I am not against AI, but let me choose where I use it.
Someone should do a class action lawsuit for these phony consent requests.
I always accepted the Apple Premium for the luxury of privacy and a user focussed experience. What is the premium for now, apart from a fancy piece of hardware? Hardware required supportive software to justify the Mac Premium. It was always their marriage that we paid extra for.
> Apple front-loaded the keynote with a “we care about children” narrative that the media and fanboys lapped up. Then they advertised features that are suspiciously at odds (if you stop to think). It was a shrewd marketing stunt they’ve pulled before. In past events Apple has greenwashed the opening spiel before flogging a new iPhone model with an annual upgrade plan. Don’t worry, it’s all recycled. Totally eco-friendly to ship mass-produced luxury goods around the world to meet a manufactured demand.
Another nice example is the posturing about "vision health", concerns about myopia, etc. IMMEDIATELY before announcing the visionPro product.
WWDC 2024: https://youtu.be/GYkq9Rgoj8E?t=4625
I wonder if all the work to do Linux and self hosting is actually shorter than having to deal with these unasked for annoyances.
Open: 0 to comfort that always grows. When it works you usually don't touch it for years.
Closed: Comfort to never-quite-what-you-want-but-compromise. Works, but you never know what's going on. Features might just get added whenever to your detriment.
So in one case i have a known state i can reach and hold. The time i put in is known and the point in time is up to me. In the other case i can never be sure about state, time and point in time. That's a clear loser to me.
"Last week I succumbed to Apple’s harassment" - usually what all end-users do eventually when caught in the walled garden ...
I make it a point to never install the first versions of major macos releases. they are usually buggy and have annoying new features that are either removed, improved or made optional in the following minor releases. Currently on 26.6.2, it's pretty good.
The AI pilled industry is all people who don't understand consent. And refuse to acknowledge and respect other humans
I had a similar thing with Xcode the other day. I unticked the "download a code assistance model" thing, clicked to continue and it started downloading it anyway (which, to be fair, you can just X out of).
It feels like consent is being undermined in so many places. The anti-Meta Glasses ad with a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and the strap line "Glasses for people who don't do consent" hits the nail on the head for me. It's a profoundly inhuman stance in the name of profits.
Maybe Little Snitch can be helpful in this sort of case ? Consent or not, it must be possible to kill the phone home line.
Ich glaube man kann endlos diskutieren was das beste Betriebssystem ist da jeder seine Vorlieben hat. Ich denke es kommt auch sehr auf den Hersteller und deren eigene Software die auf dem PC ist an. Ich bin z. B. Lenovo Fan und habe von Lenovo einen Gaming Laptop und nutze Windows 11 und Linux Mint, ich habe keine größeren Probleme nach Updates gehabt. Es kommt auch einfach sehr darauf an wie hochwertig die Teile sind die ein Hersteller verbaut und für mich ist Preis Leistungsmäßig Lenovo ziemlich weit vorne. Ich habe keinen anderen Laptop zu der Zeit zu der ich ihn gekauft habe gesehen, der für den Preis eine ähnlich gute konfiguration hatte. OK es war zusätzlich noch eine Rabatt Aktion dabei, trotzdem war der Endpreis für das Setup super und er bereitet mir, egal wie leistungsaufwendig die Dinge sind die ich mache, seitdem sehr viel Freunde, egal ob es der Bau eines Android Games ist und beim Bau einer APK in 5-6 Minuten, Leistungsintensiven Spiele auf hoher Grafik,... Natürlich bin ich mir bewusst das ich mit meinem relativ "kleinen Setup" leistungseinschränkungen habe allerdings macht der Laptop alles was ich will und wofür ich ihn brauche gut mit uns legt mir keine Steine in den Weg. Mit der Lenovo Vantage Software finde ich ist man ganz gut gerüstet da sie Treiber selbst sucht und das übertakten kontrolliert und unterstützt was ich persönlich noch nie benötigt habe nur einmal ausprobiert. Ich denke es kommt immer darauf an für welche Arbeiten man den PC benötigt und was man bereit ist an Geld dafür auszugeben. Wenn man die Hardware natürlich dauerhaft an der Grenze des möglichen laufen lässt oder sie andauern übertakten z.B. treten schneller Fehler auf. Das ist genauso mit einem Handy oder ähnlichem. Und dann kommt es auf die Pflege an und bei einem Laptop z.b. auch in wie fern man bereit ist Sonderposten in Kauf zu nehmen für z. Sb. Seinen Laptop Ständer oder sogar noch für eine aktive Kühlung von außen. Alles hat seine vor und Nachteile und alles benötigt ein bisschen liebe und Pflege
Looks like I'll never upgrade past Sequoia.
I'm switching to Linux desktop. I'm done with Windows and Apple. Both these companies do sleazy dark patterns.
LuLu is honestly the best piece of software for macOS. Every upgrade, I always dowanload the latest version of LuLu first, the the OS upgrade, and then turn all connectivity off. Once it's done with the updates I make sure LuLu is active and up-to-date and running before I reactivate WiFi so I can review every outgoing connection (and deny most).
On other side, people are crazy (in a good sense) that Omarchy have built-in AI. Go figure out...
You said yes when you agreed to their walled garden.
I thought this was posted on a Dbus hate website when I saw the URL.
Thank goodness Linux exists.
This has been the case for me with the Dock for twenty-plus years. You can't kill the Dock. You can hide it. You can set the delay until it appears. But you cannot kill it, it just respawns.
And it's such a terrible waste of memory/screen space/an edge of the display.
And of course I said yes, and Apple said no, to Launchpad, an actually useful tool ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Is this happening only when upgrading the os or does it force enable apple intelligence on clean re-installs too?
I literally thought this website was about DBUS Hell and I was all for it.
Alas.
These are reasons enough. I switched to Asahi recently on my Macbook Pro M1
My fingerprint reader doesn't work, nor does my speaker. But hey, its way better than having to use MacOS. Atleast, linux lets me use my computer the way I want.
Some comments from last year poking fun at how Big Tech does not understand the concept of consent:
> That was a rather explicit “no”, no?
God I love puns...
What does Elon Musk have to do with Apple Intelligence? Why is that in this article?
The push the past few weeks to start talking about AI with the same language used to discuss sexual assault seems to be in poor taste. It seems like saying "slop" all the time was not effective, so now people are comparing AI to sexual assault... Sentences like "AI bros don't understand consent" are obviously meant to suggest that people who are pro-AI are akin to rapists and predators. I'm not sure what benefit there is to doing this, well, I guess that's a lie, I understand the point is to raise the emotional stakes of this debate to such a level that people feel like they can't disagree.
Unlike when it comes to sexual assault, everyone being "assaulted" with AI can very easily choose to switch to Linux or use different services at any moment. There's really no need for such hyperbole. Software changes you don't like aren't akin to sexual assault.
> The AI industry is vile
Or is this just Apple looking no less vile than usual?
I’m considering linux full time going forward and just keeping a mac mini for ios builds.
While not as extreme, this reminds me of the whole Bluetooth-re-enabled-after-updates thing I've been bitching about for years. I hate Bluetooth, never use it, always turn it off. Yet, every time I update macOS/iOS, Bluetooth is magically re-enabled, because Apple said so.
Like I said, not as annoying as unwillingly being sucked into the AI-iverse, and seizing 28-GB of storage space, but it's the principle. I want control over my devices - you know, the things I paid $$$ for.
Not trying to start flamewars, but more and more I wonder how much are people willing to put up with such practices. On linux for 15+ years and everytime I try to use mac or win, it is an ordeal. And ads. F*cking ads in a system someone has purchased. And spying. Really user hostile environment. No, thank you.