# Apple Dictation privacy rating

Speech-to-text feature built into macOS, iOS and iPadOS that types dictated text in any app. Supported languages are processed on the device; others are sent to Apple servers.

## Summary

Apple Dictation scores 47 out of 100 (grade D) on the dictation and transcription criteria. It meets 2 of 6 criteria: no ads or data sales and no training on recordings. It partly meets no trackers or telemetry and runs on the device. It does not meet open source and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.

- Website: https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-dictation-mh40584/mac
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: macOS, iOS
- Home page trackers: none found
- Category: [Dictation and transcription](https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/)
- Also rated: [iCloud Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-providers/icloud-mail/) (Email providers), [Hide My Email](https://privacyratings.com/email-forwarding/hide-my-email/) (Email forwarding and aliases), [Apple Mail](https://privacyratings.com/email-clients/apple-mail/) (Email clients), [Safari](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/safari/) (Browsers), [Apple App Store](https://privacyratings.com/app-stores/apple-app-store/) (App stores), [Apple Passwords](https://privacyratings.com/password-managers/apple-passwords/) (Password managers), [FileVault](https://privacyratings.com/file-encryption/filevault/) (File encryption), [iMessage](https://privacyratings.com/messengers/imessage/) (Messengers), [FaceTime](https://privacyratings.com/video-calls/facetime/) (Video calls), [iOS](https://privacyratings.com/mobile-operating-systems/ios/) (Mobile operating systems), [macOS](https://privacyratings.com/desktop-operating-systems/macos/) (Desktop operating systems), [Spotlight](https://privacyratings.com/launchers/spotlight/) (App launchers), [Apple Notes](https://privacyratings.com/notes/apple-notes/) (Notes), [Apple Journal](https://privacyratings.com/journaling/apple-journal/) (Journaling apps), [Apple iWork](https://privacyratings.com/office-suites/apple-iwork/) (Office suites), [QuickTime Player](https://privacyratings.com/screen-recording/quicktime-player/) (Screenshots and screen recording), [Apple Books](https://privacyratings.com/ebook-readers/apple-books/) (Ebook readers), [iCloud Drive](https://privacyratings.com/cloud-storage/icloud-drive/) (Encrypted cloud storage), [Apple Maps](https://privacyratings.com/maps/apple-maps/) (Maps and navigation), [SwiftUI](https://privacyratings.com/app-frameworks/swiftui/) (Cross-platform app frameworks), [Apple Home](https://privacyratings.com/smart-home/apple-home/) (Smart home), [Apple Watch](https://privacyratings.com/wearables/apple-watch/) (Wearables and health), [Apple Health Cycle Tracking](https://privacyratings.com/period-trackers/apple-health-cycle-tracking/) (Period trackers), [Apple Music](https://privacyratings.com/music-streaming/apple-music/) (Music streaming), [iCloud Photos](https://privacyratings.com/photo-management/icloud-photos/) (Photo management)
- Grade: D (47/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | No | Closed source. |  |
| No trackers or telemetry | Partial | No third-party trackers, but Apple collects request data such as device configuration and performance statistics by default, under a rotating random identifier. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/ask-siri-dictation/ |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | No ads in Dictation; Apple states dictation data is not used to build marketing profiles and is never sold. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/ask-siri-dictation/ |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |
| Runs on the device | Partial | Supported languages and devices process dictation on the device; otherwise audio is sent to Apple servers. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/ask-siri-dictation/ |
| No training on recordings | Yes | Dictated audio and text are stored and used to improve Apple models only if the user opts in to Improve Siri and Dictation. | https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/data/en/ask-siri-dictation/ |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/speech-to-text/apple-dictation/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/speech-to-text/apple-dictation.md