Apple is reportedly preparing a significant privacy overhaul for its virtual assistant, Siri, with plans to introduce an auto-delete chat history feature. This major upgrade is anticipated to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2026, scheduled for June.
The revamp is expected to include a new, standalone Siri app, which will launch alongside the iOS 27 update. According to a Bloomberg report, this dedicated application will prioritize user privacy through features like automatically deleting conversation history after a user-defined period, such as 30 days or a year—a functionality reminiscent of Apple's iMessage.
Enhanced Privacy and AI Integration
While the new Siri app is rumored to be powered by Google's Gemini AI model, offering a more conversational chatbot experience, Apple intends to maintain stringent control over user data. Reports indicate that Siri's operations will be managed on Apple's private cloud compute servers, ensuring that user data remains under Apple's purview, not Google's.
This strategic focus on privacy is seen as a key differentiator for Apple, potentially compensating for previously delayed Siri features. The company aims to highlight its privacy-centric approach as a core selling point for the updated assistant.
New Features and Beta Rollout
Beyond the auto-delete capability, the standalone Siri app is expected to bring several new functionalities. Users can anticipate features such as chat history, voice conversations, and the ability to upload files, aligning Siri more closely with modern chatbot experiences. A new universal gesture to initiate chats is also rumored to be part of the update.
Apple may release a beta version of the Siri app ahead of its full public launch in the fall. Users might have the option to opt in or out to experience the revamped Siri, though it could potentially remain labeled as "beta" even after its official release. As WWDC 2026 approaches, more details regarding Siri's deeper integration with AI models, including Google Gemini and potentially OpenAI’s ChatGPT, are expected to be revealed.