Apple has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit involving its voice assistant Siri, leading to a proposed payout of $95 million. This significant sum stems from allegations asserting the company violated users' privacy by inadvertently recording their private conversations.
According to plaintiffs, the privacy violations occurred over nearly ten years, starting from the introduction of the "Hey, Siri" feature, which allowed users to activate the voice assistant with their voice. The lawsuit claims Apple unintentionally recorded private discussions whenever Siri was activated without explicit user command and shared these recordings with third parties, including human reviewers.
The legal action arose after reports surfaced, including one by The Guardian, indicating Apple contractors had overheard sensitive information during their reviews of Siri recordings. Apple responded to these revelations by issuing apologies and outlining plans to change the way privacy is managed, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining user confidentiality.
While Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing, the settlement awaits court approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. According to the preliminary details, Apple will be required to confirm the permanent deletion of audio recordings collected from Siri prior to October 2019, as part of the settlement terms. The settlement is notable because it potentially impacts tens of millions of Siri-enabled device users.
Eligible class members can receive payouts of up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, which may include iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. The class action seeks compensation for those who experienced Siri accidentally listening and recording conversations, affecting users during the stipulated period from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024.
The lawsuit, formally known as Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., claims Apple's practices not only breached user trust but also raised significant questions about the privacy policies of technology companies utilizing voice technology. One plaintiff recounted how discussing Air Jordan sneakers prompted targeted advertisements, which raised alarms about unauthorized data collection.
The considerable payout of $95 million for Apple is relatively minor compared to its financial stature — it amounts to just nine hours of profit for the tech giant, which reported net income of $93.74 billion last fiscal year.
Beyond the scope of this specific case, the settlement highlights the growing concerns users have over the privacy of voice-activated devices. Many consumers express discomfort with the idea of their conversations being recorded without consent, illuminating the balance between convenience and privacy.
Apple's Siri, launched back in 2011 alongside the iPhone 4S, has undergone numerous enhancements since its inception. Yet, the sensitive nature of voice-assistant technology raises persistent issues over user privacy. The company has assured users of its intent to improve processes and rebuild trust, but the pending approval of the current settlement signals the need for continued scrutiny of vocal recognition technologies.
This lawsuit showcases the challenges tech companies face as reliance on voice-assistant devices grows, forcing them to navigate users’ desires for improved functionality alongside their legitimate concerns over privacy.
Users who believe they are eligible for compensation as part of the class action can expect instructions on how to file claims to secure their share of the payout should the court approve the settlement.