amynicole – Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve allegations that its devices. Including those equipped with the Siri virtual assistant, were eavesdropping on users without their consent. The case accused the tech giant of recording and storing private conversations through Siri. Even when users did not activate the feature intentionally.
Claimants in the lawsuit further alleged that some of these voice recordings were shared with third-party advertisers. Raising concerns about privacy violations and misuse of user data. While Apple has not admitted to any wrongdoing. The settlement marks a significant step in addressing the controversy surrounding the functionality of voice-activated assistants and their impact on user privacy.
The company has yet to issue an official comment regarding the settlement. This development highlights growing scrutiny of tech companies’ privacy practices. As consumers and regulators demand they handle personal data with greater transparency and accountability.
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Apple Faces Allegations of Siri Eavesdropping, Agrees to $95M Settlement
In a preliminary settlement, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its Siri virtual assistant recorded private conversations without user consent. While denying any wrongdoing, Apple asserts that it neither recorded nor disclosed conversations to third parties without permission and confirms it has “permanently deleted individual Siri audio recordings collected prior to October 2019.”
The plaintiffs claim that Siri sometimes activated unintentionally, recording conversations even when users did not say the wake phrase, “Hey, Siri.” They allege that Apple shared these recordings with advertisers. Who reportedly used keywords from the conversations to target ads more effectively.
Lead plaintiff Fumiko Lopez claims that Siri recorded her and her daughter without their consent and that they later received targeted ads after discussing products like Air Jordans. This case highlights ongoing concerns about data privacy and the potential misuse of voice-activated technology. Apple has not admitted liability but has agreed to the settlement to resolve the allegations.
Class Action Details and Upcoming Court Decision
Apple has proposed February 14, 2025, as the decision date for its $95 million settlement in the Northern California court. The class action lawsuit alleges that Siri-enabled devices recorded users’ private conversations without consent and shared them with advertisers. Apple denies the claims but agreed to settle to avoid the potential risks and costs of a court trial.
In class action lawsuits, a small group represents a larger population, and settlements are distributed among all eligible claimants. According to court documents, U.S.-based claimants who owned Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019 could receive up to $20 per device. However, legal fees and expenses, amounting to nearly $30 million, will be deducted, reducing the total payout.
By settling, Apple avoids the uncertainty of court proceedings while maintaining its stance of no wrongdoing. The company reported $94.9 billion in revenue for the quarter ending September 28, 2024, highlighting its robust financial position despite ongoing lawsuits.
This case adds to Apple’s recent legal challenges. In January 2024, it began paying $500 million to resolve claims of intentionally slowing down iPhones. On March, it agreed to a $490 million settlement in the UK for a class action led by Norfolk County Council. In November, UK consumer group Which? launched another lawsuit alleging unfair pricing practices in Apple’s iCloud service.
Meanwhile, the same legal firm representing this case is also suing Google in Northern California, accusing the company of unauthorized recordings through its devices. That case remains ongoing, indicating that concerns over user privacy and voice-activated technology continue to dominate the legal landscape.
