Apple has reached a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of violating users’ privacy through its Siri voice assistant. The lawsuit alleged that Siri inadvertently recorded private conversations without users’ consent, with some recordings being shared with third parties.
The settlement applies to U.S. users who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Eligible users may receive up to $20 per device, with a maximum of five claims per individual. Payments are expected to be distributed within 60 days of claim approvals, as reported by Reuters.
The lawsuit highlighted instances where Siri was unintentionally activated, capturing private conversations. Some users claimed they noticed targeted advertisements related to topics discussed privately, raising concerns about unauthorized data sharing. According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple has denied any wrongdoing but opted for settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.
As part of the settlement, Apple will delete unauthorized recordings made before October 2019 and implement clearer user guidance regarding Siri’s data storage and “Improve Siri” features. This step aims to address transparency concerns and reassure users about their privacy. For affected users, claim forms will be available on a dedicated settlement website.
Apple’s settlement underscores growing consumer demand for stricter privacy safeguards in voice assistant technologies. While the company continues to emphasize its commitment to user privacy, this case serves as a reminder of the challenges in balancing innovation and consumer trust.
