Apple has suspended a controversial programme that saw workers listening in to private Siri recordings.

It emerged last week that people working on behalf of the company have overheard users having sex, buying drugs and discussing medical issues with doctors.

The company has been sending the anonymous clips out to third-party contractors to independently grade how well the voice assistant responds to user questions and voice commands.

In a statement this morning the company said it had suspended the programme while it carriesSiri out a "thorough review" of what happened.

“We are committed to delivering a great Siri experience while protecting user privacy," reads the statement.

"While we conduct a thorough review, we are suspending Siri grading globally.

"Additionally, as part of a future software update, users will have the ability to choose to participate in grading."

The problems with the programme were revealed by a whistleblower talking to The Guardian.

The Apple contractor told the newspaper that the bulk of the intimate clips were recorded through accidental triggers of the digital assistant.