Apple fires over 300 contractors it hired to listen to Siri recordings.

Apple laid off over 300 contractors after suspending its
controversial Siri programme earlier this month. (Image source: AP)

Apple laid off over 300 contractors across Europe after suspension of its controversial Siri programme where its graders listened to all the recordings of iPhone users in order to improve accuracy for the voice-assistant.

Apple has laid off over 300 contractual workers following its announcement of the suspension of its Siri programme where its contractors could listen to the recordings of the iPhone users, The Guardian has reported. According to the former workers, the iPhone maker has axed more than 300 contractors at Apple’s Cork facility alone, with more layoffs from other sites across Europe.

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As per the report, the staff had been on paid leave since August 2 when Apple had announced the suspension of its controversial Siri grading programme after it came under fire for eavesdropping on iPhone users and listened to all their recordings right from private medical records to couples having sex.

These contractors, who were hired as graders were employed through contracting firms, were asked to go home on Friday that week with most of them being told that there was no work for them because of ‘technical errors’, the report said. However, Apple told the contracting firms last week that the grading work would be terminated, leading to job losses en mass with little notice.


By Tech Desk.
Full story at Indian Express.