Both Siri and Google Assistant can use personal context to answer requests, but neither automatically accesses every kind of data on every device. What an assistant can use depends on the device, the feature, linked services, account settings and permissions. It also matters whether information is processed on the device, sent to company servers, or saved in an account history—those are different kinds of access.
What personal data can Siri and Google Assistant use?
Each assistant may use details from a spoken request along with context from the device or connected services. The named categories differ, and a feature may need only a relevant piece of information—for example, a contact name to place a call.
| Data or context | Siri | Google Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Speech and request details | Audio or transcripts, request category, whether the request succeeded, device configuration and performance statistics. [Apple] | Spoken requests; Assistant interaction text and related linked-device or service information may be saved when Web & App Activity is enabled. [Google] |
| Contacts | Contact names, nicknames and relationship information. [Apple] | Contacts; some phone actions may use contact names and phone numbers. [Google] [Google Voice Action Services] |
| Location | Approximate device location at request time may be sent if Siri Location Services is enabled. [Apple] | Location is among the information Google says Assistant may use from linked devices and services. [Google] |
| Device and service context | Music and podcast preferences; names of devices, accessories, homes, scenes and Home members; Photos labels; app names and shortcuts. [Apple] | Device names, tasks, events, alarms, installed apps and playlists. Some phone tasks may involve calendar event information, account email for synchronization, and diagnostics such as crash logs. [Google] [Google Voice Action Services] |
These lists describe possible context, not a guarantee that an assistant reads or stores all of it. Whether a category is used depends on the request, feature, device configuration and permissions.
Where is speech processed?
Siri
Apple says Siri processes audio on the device whenever possible. If that is not possible, audio may be sent to Apple servers. Apple says the device’s Siri settings indicate when speech is processed on device and not sent to Apple. [Apple]
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Apple says it does not store audio unless the user opts in to Improve Siri and Dictation. Its separate improvement notice describes an opt-in path that may include audio, transcripts, responses and related request data from Siri and Apple Intelligence interactions. If an interaction is selected for review, Apple says employees may see context relevant to judging the response, such as contact or installed-app names; only employees subject to confidentiality obligations can access audio interactions. [Apple] [Apple]
Google Assistant
For supported speakers and displays, Google says the device processes short audio snippets in standby to detect an activation phrase. After activation, the request is sent to Google servers. Google says Assistant interactions are encrypted in transit. Some supported devices also have a physical microphone switch. [Google]
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Are requests connected to an account?
Siri: request history uses a rotating device identifier
Apple says Siri request history is associated with a random identifier generated by the device, not with the Apple Account or email address. The identifier rotates multiple times per hour. Apple may retain and use request history for up to two years for product development and improvement; a subset reviewed by Apple may be kept longer. History stored on the device may also personalize Siri. [Apple]
Google Assistant: Web & App Activity can save interaction text to the Google Account
When Web & App Activity is enabled, Google says Assistant interaction text and related information from linked devices and services may be saved in the Google Account and viewed or deleted in My Activity. This account-activity setting is distinct from Voice & Audio Activity, which controls whether audio recordings are saved. [Google] [Google]
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How do retention and deletion differ?
The companies describe different controls and retention arrangements; these figures are policy periods and settings, not independent measurements.
- Apple: Request history may be retained for up to two years, with a reviewed subset possibly kept longer. Turning off Siri and Dictation deletes on-device transcripts and associated Siri identifier data. Apple says requests older than six months and a small reviewed sample may not be deleted because they are no longer associated with the identifier. [Apple]
- Google: Google offers auto-delete periods of 3, 18 or 36 months for eligible activity in the account controls. Users can also delete activity through My Activity. [Google] [Google]
What settings control access and personalization?
On Apple devices
- Manage Siri’s location access in Location Services settings; approximate location may be included with a request when this is enabled. [Apple]
- Check the device’s Siri settings for whether speech is processed on device and not sent to Apple. [Apple]
- Improve Siri and Dictation is an opt-in audio-storage setting. A separate opt-in improvement notice covers Siri and Apple Intelligence interactions. [Apple] [Apple]
- Turning Siri and Dictation off removes specified on-device transcripts and identifier data, subject to Apple’s stated exceptions for older requests and a small reviewed sample. [Apple]
For Google Assistant
- Review Web & App Activity to control whether Assistant text and related linked information may be saved to the Google Account. [Google]
- Review Voice & Audio Activity separately if you want to control saved audio recordings. [Google]
- Google also lists controls for app information, contact information, Personal Results and Voice Match. Guest Mode is described as a way to use Assistant without saving Assistant activity to the account or using it for personalization. [Google]
- Use My Activity to delete saved activity or adjust auto-delete. On supported speakers and displays with a microphone switch, muting the mic prevents the device from listening for activation. [Google] [Google]
App permissions are not the same as unrestricted access
An assistant’s ability to use context does not mean it can freely pass every protected detail to every app. Apple says Siri checks user-controlled app permissions before giving data to an app extension. For example, an app without contact access does not receive a resolved relationship for a request such as “my mother.” In some cases, a specific request can pass the detail needed to the extension. [Apple Developer]
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Google’s disclosures likewise describe use of linked services and settings, including contact and app information, Personal Results and Voice Match. The practical question is not only what data exists on a phone or account, but whether the relevant feature is enabled and the service has permission to use it. [Google]
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which assistant is more private?
The disclosures do not support a universal privacy winner. Apple describes on-device processing when possible and request history tied to a rotating device identifier rather than an Apple Account; Google describes account-linked Assistant text when Web & App Activity is enabled, with audio recording managed separately. Your practical exposure depends on which features and settings you use, and whether you want account-based history and personalization.
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