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Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Siri Privacy Lawsuit
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California: Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve allegations that its Siri voice assistant violated users’ privacy. The lawsuit, a proposed class action, claimed that Siri sometimes recorded private conversations unintentionally and disclosed them to third parties, including advertisers.

Settlement Details

A preliminary settlement was filed in the Oakland, California federal court and is pending approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Apple has denied any wrongdoing but opted to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation.

The class period for affected users spans from September 17, 2014, when Siri introduced its “Hey, Siri” feature, to December 31, 2024. During this period, users claimed Siri-enabled devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, may have recorded private conversations without consent.

Eligible class members could receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they own, with millions of devices qualifying for the settlement.

Allegations Against Apple

The plaintiffs accused Apple of:

  • Recording private conversations unintentionally: Users alleged that Siri was activated without their knowledge, leading to the unauthorized recording of personal discussions.
  • Sharing private data with third parties: It was claimed that these recordings were shared with advertisers, resulting in targeted ads.
    Examples included ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants after users mentioned these in private conversations.

Financial Implications

While $95 million may seem significant, it represents only nine hours of profit for Apple, which reported a net income of $93.74 billion in its most recent fiscal year.

Plaintiffs’ lawyers are seeking $28.5 million in legal fees and an additional $1.1 million for expenses from the settlement fund.

Broader Impact

This case reflects increasing scrutiny of tech companies over privacy concerns. A similar lawsuit involving Google’s Voice Assistant is ongoing in the same district, with plaintiffs represented by the same legal team.

What’s Next?

The settlement awaits court approval, and affected users will be notified of their eligibility to claim compensation. Meanwhile, the case raises awareness of privacy risks associated with voice assistants and the need for stricter regulations.

For those interested in the details, the case is Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-04577.

Apple’s agreement to settle this lawsuit may set a precedent for other tech companies facing similar allegations, marking a critical moment in the battle for consumer privacy in the digital age.

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