IN BRIEF
| Possibility of Blocking | For three months, Apple allows site publishers to block indexing of their content for AI training |
| Majority Refusal | The majority of websites refuse to train Apple’s AI |
| Reasons for Refusal | Large press groups and social networks prevent Apple from drawing on their content |
| Partnership | Apple joins forces with OpenAI to access ChatGPT, which scratches its image |
| Apple Intelligence | Introducing the Generative AI Feature Suite, Including ChatGPT-4o |
Since the announcement of the possibility offered by Apple to publishers to block the indexing of their content for the training of artificial intelligence, a growing number of large press groups and social networks are refusing to see their data exploited. Faced with this practice, considered invasive, many websites have chosen to protect their content, thus revealing their distrust of the technology giants.
In recent months, a new controversy has shaken the world of the web: many site publishers refuse to allow Apple to use their content for training its artificial intelligence. As Apple partners with OpenAI and increasingly leverages the open web to improve its AI models, resistance from major media groups and other content publishers is growing. , raising crucial questions about data privacy and use.
The resistance of press publishers
For three months, Apple offers site publishers the possibility of blocking the indexing of their content to avoid training their artificial intelligence models. A decision which has been widely adopted by large press groups, which wish to protect their rights and their content. According to Wired, several press publishers have already prevented Apple’s web robot from drawing on their content to train its AI. The majority of websites have difficulty accepting their information being used without their consent.
Reinforced control thanks to new features
Apple has made available to editors of sites a functionality allowing to refuse the use of their content for the training of its artificial intelligence. By exploiting this option, publishers can block the indexing of their articles and other content by Apple. This feature represents an essential tool for those who want to maintain control over the use of their information.
The impact of the alliance with OpenAI
The announcement of the collaboration between Apple and OpenAI, which now provides access to ChatGPT to the Cupertino company, has raised various criticisms. By joining forces with OpenAI, Apple is damaging its protective image of privacy. This union allows Apple to capitalize on OpenAI’s expertise and improve its AI-based products, raising substantial concerns about the use of individuals’ personal data.
An important detail to note is that this collaboration also reinforces the impression that, like all AI giants, Apple uses the web as a vast database to train its models. You can read more about this topic in this article from The New Factory.
The response of the web giants
Like Apple, other tech giants have also been criticized for having “looted” the web in order to train their AI. In an in-depth analysis, 01net looks back at the methods used by Apple to exploit the open web. This controversial strategy has pushed many publishers to protect themselves by restricting access to their content.
Privacy Concerns
Apple’s use of AI continues to raise questions about the protection of personal data. The firm, famous for its commitment to confidentiality, now finds itself in the heart of a dilemma. By partnering with OpenAI and exploiting non-consensual content, Apple is facing growing mistrust from publishers and users.
Alternatives and solutions
For those who would like to avoid the use of their data by web giants, solutions exist. For example, the following YouTube video features Private LLM, an alternative application to dominant language models, which offers similar functionality.
On the other hand, Apple also offers open source AI models, like OpenELM, and frameworks like MLX to optimize AI applications, as detailed Onopia.
Comparison: Refusal of website crawling by Apple for AI training
| Actors | Position towards Apple |
| Large press groups | Blocking content indexing |
| Apple | Using the open web to train AI |
| Website editors | Refusal to use their content for AI |
| Partnership with OpenAI | Apple uses ChatGPT for generative AI |
| Social networks | Prevent Apple from tapping into their content |
| Facebook, Instagram | Forms available to opt out of use of information |
| Private LLM | Alternative to Apple AI Models |
| MLX Framework | Development to optimize AI applications |
| Apple Intelligence presentation | ChatGPT-4 integration |
- Options available to editors:
- Use new settings to block indexing
- Opt out of Apple’s use of their content
- Motivations behind these decisions:
- Copyright protection
- Preserving confidentiality
- Reduce the exploitation of their content without authorization