Apple Inc. has agreed to pay $95 million to settle claims related to the privacy violations alleged against its voice-activated assistant, Siri. The lawsuit proposed by mobile device owners contends Siri incorrectly recorded private conversations after being unintentionally activated and shared these recordings with third parties, including advertisers.
The preliminary settlement was filed on February 14, 2024, at the federal court located in Oakland, California, and is pending approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. The core of the lawsuit dates back to September 17, 2014, when Apple introduced the "Hey, Siri" feature, which allegedly led to unauthorized recordings of users’ conversations.
Many plaintiffs have come forward with claims citing personal experiences. For example, two individuals reported they began receiving targeted ads after mentioning specific products: one for Air Jordan sneakers and another for the Olive Garden restaurant. Another plaintiff claimed they received advertisements for surgical procedures following conversations they believed to be private with their doctor.
Under the terms of the settlement, members of the class action, estimated to number in the tens of millions, may receive compensation of up to $20 for each iPhone or Apple Watch they possess with Siri capabilities, limited to five devices per person. The amount distributed may vary depending on the total number of claims submitted.
Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, the sizable settlement reflects its desire to resolve the dispute without continued litigation. The total amount earmarked for the settlement is roughly equivalent to just nine hours of profits for the tech giant, which recorded net earnings of $93.74 billion for the last fiscal year.
The plaintiffs' attorneys could potentially request as much as $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their legal fees, plus additional expenses totaling approximately $1.1 million.
Reports from CBS News suggest this case is not isolated, as another lawsuit against Google’s Voice Assistant raises similar privacy concerns. That suit is also being represented by the same law firms involved with the Apple case, showcasing broader issues of user privacy within the tech industry.
Given the nature of digital assistants and their omnipresence, issues surrounding privacy have gained prominence. The settlement will require final review by the court, highlighting the importance of transparent practices among tech companies when handling user data.
This legal battle has sparked significant conversations about how voice-activated devices interact with personal privacy, and as court proceedings move forward, attention will remain focused on how these companies reform their privacy practices moving forward.