Siri Privacy Lawsuit Settlement: Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant violated user privacy. This settlement, filed in an Oakland, California federal court, awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
The controversy stems from claims by mobile device users that Siri inadvertently recorded private conversations without user consent and subsequently shared these recordings with third parties, including advertisers. Such instances reportedly occurred when Siri was unintentionally activated through its “Hey, Siri” wake command.
Several plaintiffs shared their experiences, illustrating the alleged breaches. For example, one user noticed advertisements for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden after casual mentions of these terms. Similarly, another user claimed to receive targeted ads for a surgical treatment after what was assumed to be a private discussion with their doctor.
The lawsuit covers incidents from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024, a period beginning when the “Hey, Siri” feature was introduced. This functionality allegedly caused the unauthorized recordings at the center of the dispute.
As part of the settlement, individuals who owned Siri-enabled devices during the covered period could receive up to $20 per device. Eligible devices include popular Apple products such as iPhones and Apple Watches.
Despite agreeing to the settlement, Apple has denied any wrongdoing. The company, headquartered in Cupertino, California, has not publicly commented on the matter. Similarly, the legal team representing the plaintiffs has yet to issue a statement.
The settlement also includes provisions for attorney fees, with the plaintiffs’ lawyers potentially receiving up to $28.5 million, in addition to $1.1 million to cover expenses.
Siri Privacy Lawsuit Settlement: This case highlights the growing concern over privacy in the era of smart devices. While voice assistants like Siri offer convenience, their misuse or unintended activation can lead to serious privacy breaches, emphasizing the need for stricter safeguards and transparency from tech companies.