The classification model runs offline. I can say this because i had it classify a lot of pics while I was out on a trip with no internet.
But i do think it fetches newer models given the chance.
I am okay with it fetching models my issue is it uploading my files without consent. Thanks for sharing I had no doubt they would do this I just would like to know the whole picture. I am sick of companies just uploading things without consent. What if I am a competitor? Now you stole my IP.
I'm pretty sure classification happens locally for Apple as well. They call it "on-device machine learning". It doesn't mention it for MacOS photos but I can see `photoanalysisd` running in the background on my Mac.