Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement in Siri Privacy Case
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action Siri privacy lawsuit alleging that its voice-activated assistant, Siri, inadvertently recorded user conversations without their consent and shared the data with third parties, including advertisers. The settlement, filed in a California federal court, still requires judicial approval.
The tech giant denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the terms, which could see eligible customers receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device. This marks the culmination of a five-year legal battle centered on privacy concerns tied to Apple’s popular voice assistant.
Allegations Against Siri
The lawsuit stemmed from complaints that Siri could be activated accidentally by sounds or phrases similar to “Hey, Siri,” allowing it to capture conversations intended to remain private. These recordings were allegedly shared with third parties, leading to targeted advertisements and other privacy concerns.
Plaintiffs provided examples to illustrate their claims. One customer reported receiving ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden after discussing them privately, while another claimed to see ads for a surgical procedure mentioned only in a conversation with a doctor.
The controversy first gained attention in 2019 following a report by The Guardian that revealed Apple contractors regularly listened to Siri recordings. While Apple stated that only a small portion of audio was used to improve Siri’s functionality, a whistleblower claimed that accidental activations were common, with sounds as mundane as a zipper triggering the assistant.
Eligibility for Compensation
Apple customers who purchased Siri-enabled devices, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, HomePods, Mac computers, and Apple TVs, between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible for compensation. Claimants can receive up to $20 per device for a maximum of five devices.
To qualify, users must confirm under oath that Siri recorded conversations intended to be private without deliberate activation. Those accepting settlement funds will waive their right to pursue further legal action against Apple over related claims.
Settlement Provisions
As part of the settlement, Apple is required to confirm the deletion of Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019. Additionally, the company must create a webpage to clarify its “Improve Siri” program, emphasizing user consent for data usage.
This case underscores the growing scrutiny over the privacy implications of voice assistants and highlights the challenges of balancing innovation with user trust.
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