GoKawiilApple removes user's Apple Intelligence opt-out after macOS 27 upgrade
A user who had disabled Apple Intelligence and Siri data-sharing features in macOS 15 found that upgrading to macOS 27 silently re-enabled these settings, removing the toggle that previously let them turn the feature off entirely. They also discovered Siri processes still running in the background, hidden opt-out controls buried under Screen Time parental restrictions, and 22.28 GB of storage consumed by Apple Intelligence components they never asked for.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This incident highlights a growing pattern of tech companies quietly re-enabling AI features during software updates, undermining explicit user choices and raising serious consent concerns. It also has real costs for users, both in lost storage space on premium-priced devices and in eroded trust that privacy settings will persist across updates.
- macOS 27 upgrade reset previously disabled Apple Intelligence and Siri settings without user consent.
- Background Siri processes reportedly continue running even after being toggled off in settings.
- Apple Intelligence components consumed 22.28 GB of disk space on a device where the storage costs users roughly £11 per GB.
Objective-See Little Snitch (macOS) — If Apple's own privacy toggles keep disappearing, Little Snitch lets you see and block exactly what's phoning home from your Mac, including background Siri and Apple Intelligence processes. It's a great way to take back control over your network traffic when the OS won't let you opt out cleanly.”
See Objective-See Little Snitch (macOS) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: dbushell.com — David Bushell, 2026-09-22
Published there as: “I said no and Apple said yes”
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