Apple settles Siri class action lawsuit for $95 million
Apple has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that the tech giant recorded private conversations through its voice assistant, Siri, without people’s consent. This comes after reports that contractors hired by Apple to review Siri responses had access to recordings containing sensitive information like medical details, drug transactions, and intimate moments.
In response to consumer complaints, Apple publicly apologized for the privacy breaches and assured users that it would no longer store recordings of their interactions with Siri. Despite this, the company denied any wrongdoing in court filings, stating that they did not violate users’ rights in any way.
The settlement, which is still pending approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, requires Apple to pay out money to potentially tens of millions of users. Those eligible can submit claims for up to five devices that unintentionally activated Siri during private conversations between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. The amount each user receives will depend on the total number of valid claims filed as part of the settlement.
While plaintiffs estimated total damages exceeding $1.5 billion, they opted to settle the lawsuit to avoid the challenges of proving liability at trial, given Apple’s denial of wrongdoing. As part of the settlement, Apple must also confirm the permanent deletion of Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019 and provide a webpage explaining how users can opt-in to improve Siri and what data Apple collects.
This case sheds light on the issues tech companies face as voice assistants become more integral to our daily lives, assisting with tasks like answering questions, setting alarms, and providing directions. It highlights the importance of safeguarding user privacy and ensuring transparency in data collection practices, particularly as technology continues to evolve.
