Apple's PCC + Foundation Models

Question

Created Dec ’25

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Participants 3

Hi, I am developing an iOS application that utilizes Apple’s Foundation Models to perform certain summarization tasks. I would like to understand whether user data is transferred to Private Cloud Compute (PCC) in cases where the computation cannot be performed entirely on-device.

This information is critical for our internal security and compliance reviews. I would appreciate your clarification on this matter. Thank you.

Answered by Apple Designer in 868827022

I love a question with an easy answer!

No.

Currently the Foundation Models framework only has access to the on-device model. PCC is never used. Ever. Inference is entirely on-device.

For an added layer of privacy and security assurance, Apple does not log anything about the inference other than counting that your app called the model (since it's a shared operating system resource). Apple does not log input or output, so Apple has no access to your prompts, inputs, or results.

Boost

Answer 1

Apple Designer OP

Apple

Dec ’25

Accepted Answer

I love a question with an easy answer!

No.

Currently the Foundation Models framework only has access to the on-device model. PCC is never used. Ever. Inference is entirely on-device.

For an added layer of privacy and security assurance, Apple does not log anything about the inference other than counting that your app called the model (since it's a shared operating system resource). Apple does not log input or output, so Apple has no access to your prompts, inputs, or results.

3

Answer 2

dab_wb OP

4w

So that I can obtain clearance to use the Foundation Model in my corporate app, could you please share a link to documentation that officially declares what you stated so clearly: the framework only has access to that on-device model. I'm sure I'm missing it, but I could not find Apple documentation that doesn't also mention the private cloud compute in the same breadth. :-)

0

Answer 3

Apple Designer OP

Apple

1w

Apologies for the delay! Please see our doc main page: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/foundationmodels

The Foundation Models framework provides access to Apple’s on-device large language model that powers Apple Intelligence to help you perform intelligent tasks specific to your use case.

This article from Apple says something similar: https://machinelearning.apple.com/research/apple-foundation-models-2025-updates

The new Foundation Models framework gives access to developers to start creating their own reliable, production-quality generative AI features with the ~3B parameter on-device language model.

0