[AndroTux]

it's more Apple's attempt to prevent users to choose their own models. Apple could build it in a way that other model providers could safely and securely interface with the Spotlight index. They could implement a big warning that shows "if you proceed with this request, Spotlight will send this and that to the model provider." But Apple chose not to do that.

[MBCook]

> Apple could build it in a way that other model providers could safely and securely interface with the Spotlight index

How? How do you safely handover effectively every single bit of data on someone’s phone to any third-party company and preserve privacy?

Sure you can try and demand agreements from the third parties but will the EU see that as a move to limit competition?

Ignoring all other concerns it is a rather thorny problem.

I don’t think the EU would accept, and as a user I certainly wouldn’t accept, having to agree to a pop-up every time I used any feature that used any data on my phone that might go to a third-party AI.

[AndroTux]

If you decide to upload all your data to $company, that’s your choice. I don’t see why a user shouldn’t have the choice to do that. People already have all their data with Google and Meta, so I don’t see why this would be an issue for many. It’s not Apples job to protect users from themselves.

Besides, opening up the API would also allow people to self-host their models and plug in their own servers instead of having to trust the whole private cloud compute project (yes I know, it’s verifiable by experts, but I as an average homelabber certainly can’t).

It’s important to note that this isn’t about privacy. It’s about freedom of choice, and the avoidance of lock-in due to monopolistic practices.

[macintux]

> It’s important to note that this isn’t about privacy.

Strong disagree.

Most people have no idea what someone could do with their phone's cumulative data.

And when Facebook offers to dramatically enhance your personal network experience if you just configure their AI engine into your phone's settings, how many will understand the impact of that?

[AndroTux]

Then that's an issue where GDPR steps in. Obviously privacy is important. But so is user choice. Again, this specific problem we're talking about here is about user choice. Privacy is a different concern entirely.

Is Facebook evil? Absolutely. Should people stop using it? Absolutely. Is drinking, gambling, eating junk food and smoking bad for you? Absolutely. Should this mean adults should not have the choice to do these things? Debatable.