Apple Pauses AI News Alerts Following Complaints Over Errors

The feature, introduced to streamline app notifications, faced backlash from media organizations and users for generating misleading summaries.

“We are working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update,” an Apple spokesperson said.

Among the affected organizations was the BBC, which flagged an error in a notification generated by the feature. The alert inaccurately stated that Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself.

Other errors involved headlines from prominent outlets, such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, according to reports shared by journalists and users on social media.

The feature, launched in the UK in December, was designed to consolidate notifications by summarizing them into a single alert on users' lock screens.

However, media outlets argued that the system was unready, citing concerns over its potential to spread misinformation and erode trust in journalism.

Initially, Apple planned a software update to clarify that AI was responsible for these summaries, which were optional and available only on the latest iPhones. The company has now opted to disable the feature entirely for news and entertainment apps.

“With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable,” the spokesperson added. For other apps, AI-generated summaries will still appear, formatted in italicized text.

A BBC spokesperson welcomed the move, stating, “We’re pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarization feature for news. Our priority is the accuracy of the news we deliver to audiences, which is essential to building and maintaining trust.”

Apple introduced the feature as part of broader efforts to showcase its AI innovations, aiming to boost demand for its products. The decision to pause the service comes amid slowing sales in China, which contributed to a more than 4% drop in Apple’s stock on Thursday.