Siri in iOS 11 is able to read the content of hidden messages from the iPhone's lock screen. Apple has already promised a fix

Although almost half a year has passed since the release of iOS 11, Apple still hasn't managed to fix all the bugs that plague the system. Many Apple fans clearly agree that iOS 11 is one of Apple's worst efforts in recent times. Unfortunately, the latest news just adds fuel to the fire. Brazilian website Mac Magazine managed to find out that Siri in the new system is able to read the content of hidden notifications on the iPhone's locked screen.

The function to hide the content of notifications is one of the many novelties of the last generation of the system. After activating it, the user is able to see which application the notification comes from, but can no longer see its content. To view it, you need to unlock the phone either with a code, a fingerprint, or through Face ID. On the iPhone X, the function is even activated by default and is particularly useful here – the user just needs to look at the phone, Face ID will recognize it and the content of the notifications will be displayed immediately.

One of the readers of Mac Magazine however, he recently discovered that the content of all hidden notifications can be read by basically anyone on an iPhone, without needing to know a password or have the appropriate fingerprint or face. In short, he just activates Siri and asks her to read him the messages. Unfortunately, Apple's virtual assistant ignores the fact that the device is actually locked and will dutifully read the contents to anyone who asks her to. The only exception is notifications from Apple's native Messages app. SMS and iMessage will only be read by Siri if the device is unlocked. However, from applications such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Skype or even Telegram, the assistant will reveal the content under all circumstances.

The error concerns not only the latest iOS 11.2.6, but also the beta version of iOS 11.3, i.e. the most current version of the system at the moment. Currently, the best solution is to disable Siri on the lock screen (vs Settings -> Crab a search), or turn off Siri completely. Apple is already familiar with the problem and in a statement to a foreign magazine MacRumors promised a fix in the next iOS update, probably iOS 11.3.