Disabling Siri doesn't remove the software from your device, how do you know it's really disabled? Disabling Spotlight doesn't remove the software from your device, are your files still being indexed? Who knows? You can't even stop Photos from using AI to search your photos for Cats, Dogs, Cars etc... that's kinda forced on you. There are lots of options that are toggles, but the software is STILL ON YOUR DEVICE... oh no.
No, but I can stop using those devices, which apparently isn't acknowledged as an option to some of those defending Apple. Worried about stock prices?
You know, I changed my stance in the last year and opted to try the latest technology, and so tried Apple Music, HomeKit, iCloud, and bought a bunch of new devices. And while the whole thing has been seamless for the most part, I'm starting to see that my hesitance was justified. There's simply too much trust that has to be given for the convenience, and I'm losing that trust by the day as I'm losing faith in technology. When it comes to my flip phone, iPod nano, DSLR, and my Garmin Nuvi, there is very little to trust as the devices learn an insanely less amount from me. The phone roughly knows my location and who I talk to, but all communications can be easily severed by removing the battery. The iPod only plays music. The DSLR gets a view of the world, but doesn't scan my photos and try to report me (physically unable), and the camera sensor is physically blocked when turned off. My Garmin can show me around without any connection to the outside world. It only receives a GPS signal. Apple Pay is hit or miss, but cash always works.
So yes, while Spotlight could be compromised and report every file on my device to Apple, I take a certain level of trust with the device. Trust in that accelerometer data isn't trying to guess what I'm doing and sell the data to the highest bidder, or that Maps doesn't record every move I make and plot it out on a map accessible over the web (both of which Google does by default, interestingly enough with location disabled on my phone at the time). However, the topic at hand is EXPLICITLY designed to actively check our photo libraries and report us to the authorities if it detects enough matches to a top-secret database that is loaded on our phones without any choice. With the announcement, Apple stated exactly how it feels about their customer base. So now, many of us are (rightly) questioning our technology and some (myself included) are deciding that we're done with "smart" technology. It's just no longer worth the tradeoffs, especially when a handful of dedicated devices can do the job just as well or better (the only reason I have an iPhone 12 is because my X was garbage at handling phone calls, but my flip phone has better audio quality than both of them).
It's why I drive a Bolt and not a Tesla Model 3. The Bolt can easily become a disconnected car, but not Tesla (and like with Apple, everyone has to question your motives instead of answering the question, "Can the internet connectivity in a Tesla be disabled and the car still Supercharge if it has free Supercharging?"). Why is there a cabin camera in the 3 and Y? What is it looking for? I'm sorry, I don't accept the premise of the manufacturer inviting itself into my life to see if I'm doing anything illegal. Sorry, GM, I'm not letting my car send you my driving data via OnStar so you can sell it to my insurance company and make me pay more because I accelerate aggressively (usually to get away from zombie drivers, and there are a ton of those these days).
So, that's fine if you are comfortable with this and opt to continue using Apple products. That's your choice. We're simply trying to warn you of the dangers of the precedent set by this new "feature", and with enough vocal opposition, maybe have Apple take pause. We don't all want to live under the magnifying glass.
) Maybe I'll snag a modern chest band to use with it. That would be great for when I'm doing HIIT.
