Apple has announced a more intelligent Siri - but the wait is getting longer and longer. New features were originally supposed to appear with iOS 18.4, but it now seems more likely that they will only come with iOS 19. Apple is holding back on an explanation, but there are several theories about the delays. In addition to technical challenges, a serious security problem could be the main reason.
In the future, Siri will be able to better understand what you want, react to context, and perform actions directly in apps. That sounds promising, but it also brings risks. In order for Siri to do that, it needs to access your personal data and act in your apps. This is exactly what makes it vulnerable to so-called prompt injection attacks, a known problem with AI systems. Experts believe it is possible that Apple is not only struggling with technical difficulties, but above all with security.
Why the smart Siri is delayed
At WWDC in June 2024, Apple promised three key improvements to Siri:
- Contextual Awareness: Siri should be able to use personal information to provide more relevant answers.
- Screen recognition: The assistant should recognize what is happening on your display and react to it.
- In-app actions: Siri should be able to control apps to perform tasks without you having to operate them manually.
These features were originally supposed to come with iOS 18.4, but Apple has postponed them. An official statement said that development is taking longer than planned. The update is scheduled to be released "next year" - i.e. 2026.
Technical problems as one of the causes
Apple currently works with two different versions of Siri:
- The original Siri, which can perform basic tasks like setting timers or getting weather reports.
- A new, AI-powered version designed to handle more complex queries.
The problem is that the two systems are not yet properly connected. Apple employees who are testing Siri report that many of the new functions do not yet work reliably. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman assumes that Apple is having difficulty fixing the bugs and is therefore having to keep postponing the launch. But that may not be the only reason.
Security concerns as a decisive factor
Developer Simon Willison suspects that Apple is delaying Siri not only because of technical problems, but primarily for security reasons. In particular, the vulnerability to prompt injection attacks could be a major challenge (via Simon Willison's Weblog).
What are prompt injection attacks?
Prompt injection is a technique that attackers can use to infiltrate AI systems in order to circumvent their security mechanisms. This could lead to Siri being manipulated to reveal sensitive data or carry out malicious actions. The risk is particularly high because the new Siri functions have direct access to personal data and apps. For example, if Siri can control a banking app, an attacker could try to get it to make transfers or pass on login data. John Gruber, a well-known Apple blogger, considers this security problem to be plausible (via Daring Fireball). He says that no company has yet found a solution to prompt injection - neither OpenAI nor Google or other AI companies. If Apple cannot find a way to reliably protect Siri against such attacks, the entire project could be at risk.
When will the smart Siri really arrive?
There are two possible scenarios:
- Apple will find a solution to the technical and security challenges and release the new Siri features with iOS 19 or later.
- The security risks remain too great and Apple has to delete or severely restrict some of the announced features.
One thing is clear: Apple cannot afford to launch with an insecure Siri. Data protection is one of the company's most important selling points. A Siri that can be manipulated and puts personal data at risk would be a huge problem. It is therefore quite possible that Apple has already scrapped the schedule internally and the launch will be delayed even further. Anyone looking forward to a revolutionary Siri will need patience. (Image: Apple)
