Data protection report for Apple Intelligence is still rare
Apple wants to make it transparent to users when Apple Intelligence is switched to the cloud. But the reports are often empty.
(Image: Apple)
How often does Apple use the cloud for its AI functions, and how often does it use the iPhone, Mac, or iPad itself? This can be determined using an interesting integrated function, the so-called Privacy Report. However, this has so far remained empty for many users. It is unclear why this happens.
Transparency log shows no requests
In contrast to its competitors such as Google, Anthropic or OpenAI, Apple is trying to implement as many Apple Intelligence features as possible directly “on device”. This is primarily for data protection reasons: the company has no access to any content. However, if the local models are overwhelmed – which can happen with image generation as well as text creation – Apple also switches to the cloud. To do this, the company uses a specially developed process called Private Cloud Compute (PCC), in which computing is virtually encrypted, meaning that no data can be accessed on the servers beyond the actual user. Nevertheless, Apple is transparent and has built a feature into macOS, iOS and iPadOS that notifies users when PCC activities occur.
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The so-called Privacy Report can be activated in the privacy settings under “Transparency Logs”. It can also be created there for a period of 15 minutes or 7 days and can then be exported as a JSON file via AirDrop, for example. However, the report often remains empty, even if Apple's writing tools have been used very actively. A survey by 9to5Mac now shows that only 15 percent of all respondents found content in the Privacy Report.
Technical error or a lot of local AI
The creators of the Apple blog themselves also report that no member of the editorial team has ever seen a filled Privacy Report. A device activated for Apple Intelligence in the Mac & i editorial office presents a similar picture. In the 59-byte file, the “privateCloudComputeRequests” are just as empty as the “modelRequests”. “Some of us at 9to5Mac have tried the 7-day setting, but so far, all of us have seen completely blank reports.”
It's unclear why this is. Either, most AI actions within Apple Intelligence actually happen on the iPhone, which does not trigger the Privacy Report. Or the function is currently still buggy. Apple Intelligence is still in the beta phase. The service will also be available in German in April. At the moment, it can be used in English versions; the easiest way to do this is to set the device to U.S. English and use an App Store ID from the USA.
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