Apple Inc. is facing fresh scrutiny in France as prosecutors open a formal investigation into how the company handles voice recordings collected through its digital assistant, Siri.
The probe, referred to the Office for Combating Cybercrime, marks another step in Europe’s tightening oversight of how major US tech firms process personal data, especially sensitive voice interactions that could reveal private or medical information.
The investigation follows a complaint filed earlier this year by the Ligue des droits de l’Homme, a French human rights group, and centres on allegations that Apple retained user recordings without adequate consent.
Bloomberg reports that it signals a broader European focus on voice-enabled technologies and their compliance with strict data protection laws.
France takes a tougher line on tech and privacy
France’s prosecutors confirmed the case has been handed to cybercrime authorities, highlighting a growing legal framework around digital surveillance and the right to privacy.
Authorities are examining whether Apple’s data collection practices comply with the country’s privacy standards under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This is not the first time France has taken action against major technology companies.
The government has previously launched antitrust investigations and imposed a digital services tax targeting firms like Google, Amazon, and Meta.
The ongoing Apple investigation adds to this track record, showing that French regulators are prepared to challenge US technology giants over their control of user data.
The investigation was first reported by Politico, which noted that it stems from long-standing concerns over how Siri stores and processes voice recordings.
The French human rights complaint relied on testimony from Thomas le Bonniec, a former Apple subcontractor based in Ireland.
Le Bonniec revealed that some audio samples reviewed by third-party contractors contained highly personal details — including conversations from patients and private households.
Apple’s data retention practices under review
Apple’s digital assistant, Siri, is built into most of its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
The service relies on artificial intelligence models trained with real-world voice samples to improve speech recognition.
According to Apple, the recordings are only collected if users opt in to help enhance Siri’s performance.
The company disclosed earlier this year that some voice data may be stored for up to two years and reviewed by external “graders” who assess accuracy and performance.
These subcontractors, Apple said, operate under strict confidentiality agreements.
However, French investigators are now evaluating whether such retention periods and external reviews meet GDPR requirements, which mandate explicit and informed consent for processing personal data.
The involvement of third-party contractors, particularly when sensitive information is involved, is expected to be a central focus of the inquiry.
Apple has maintained that it “does not retain audio recordings of Siri interactions unless users explicitly opt in to help improve Siri, and even then, the recordings are used solely for that purpose,” according to a company blog post published in January.
The firm has declined to comment further while the French investigation is ongoing.
Global tension over data control and digital taxation
The probe also underscores a broader political backdrop.
France’s insistence on taxing digital services has previously drawn criticism from Washington, with US President Donald Trump labelling such levies discriminatory.
The transatlantic disagreement over how to regulate and tax American tech companies remains unresolved.
By opening an investigation into Apple’s handling of Siri recordings, France reinforces its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ privacy while signalling to other regulators across the European Union that data protection remains a national security concern as much as a civil rights issue.
The case will likely test how voice technologies are governed under current privacy laws and could set a precedent for how AI-driven assistants collect, store, and analyse human speech across Europe.
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