Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Privacy Claims
In a significant move, Apple has consented to a settlement of $95 million in cash to resolve a class action lawsuit that alleged its virtual assistant, Siri, was recording private conversations without user consent.
The proposed settlement was presented on Tuesday at the federal court located in Oakland, California. It is currently pending approval from U.S. District Judge Edward Davila.
Allegations of Unauthorized Recordings
The lawsuit claimed that Siri often activated unintentionally and recorded conversations without users’ knowledge. Furthermore, it suggested that these recordings were subsequently shared with third parties such as advertisers.
Plaintiffs highlighted instances where targeted advertisements for products like Nike sneakers and dining deals at established restaurants surfaced—advertisements linked to private discussions they had. One claimant even noted receiving promotions related to medical procedures discussed confidentially with healthcare providers.
Settlement Details
The affected period is designated from September 17, 2014, until December 31, 2024—the span during which Siri has been integrated into the Apple product line.
A potential pool of tens of millions of claimants could receive approximately $20 per eligible device featuring Siri technology, including iPhones and Apple Watches. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have not made any comments regarding the settlement outcome while Apple maintains its stance denying any allegations of misconduct.
Financial Context
This $95 million payout represents roughly nine hours’ worth of Apple’s profits; according to reports by Reuters, the tech giant posted earnings totaling around $93.74 billion in their most recent fiscal year.
Source: Reuters
