With the tvOS 18.2 update, Apple is introducing a new “Ad Blocker” framework that will prevent Siri from responding to commands in television commercials. This feature will block phrases like “Hey Siri” in ads, preventing Siri from turning on.
Apple to put a new blocker for Hey Siri
This also raised security concerns. Apple’s new “Ad Blocker” framework aims to solve this problem by using Shazam voice recognition technology. The framework will download sounds from Apple servers and compare them with the audio from the device’s microphone. If there is a match, the “Hey Siri” command will be temporarily disabled, preventing Siri from responding to the commands in the ad.
Ad Blocker is currently only available in tvOS 18.2 beta. This means that the HomePod smart speaker could be the first device to benefit from this feature. HomePod models have responded to Siri commands in TV commercials, prompting complaints from users.
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With the new framework, Apple offers a solution to a problem that voice assistant users have been experiencing for a long time. Ensuring that Siri does not respond to “Hey Siri” commands in ads will improve the user experience and increase the security of Apple devices.
The tvOS 18.2 update, which is expected to include the Ad Blocker framework, is scheduled to be released in December. Although the framework is currently only in tvOS beta, it is possible that Apple will bring this feature to other devices such as iPhone and iPad in the future, providing a solution across the entire Apple ecosystem.
