Millions of iPhone users could receive compensation following privacy allegations.
Apple has reached a settlement agreement, agreeing to pay a staggering $95 million to resolve a lawsuit accusing its voice assistant, Siri, of listening in on users’ private conversations without their consent.
iPhone users have long complained that Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, was activated by mistake and recorded conversations that should have remained private. The lawsuit alleges that the recordings were then shared with third parties, including advertisers.
Siri’s Unintentional Activation and Privacy Concerns
The issue arises from Siri’s voice recognition feature, which is triggered when users say specific phrases, such as “Hey, Siri.” However, some users claim Siri was activated unintentionally, leading to the recording of conversations that weren’t meant to be captured.
The lawsuit, which dates back five years, accuses Apple of recording private conversations and possibly disclosing them to advertisers without users’ knowledge or consent.
User Complaints and Alleged Data Sharing
Several plaintiffs in the case shared their experiences of unexpected ads appearing after private conversations. Two plaintiffs mentioned that after talking about shopping for Air Jordans and visiting Olive Garden, they noticed a spike in ads related to those topics. A third plaintiff claimed that his device showed advertisements for a branded surgical treatment that he had discussed privately with his doctor.
The legal complaint suggests that these recordings occurred due to “unintended Siri activation” and that Apple did not adequately protect users’ privacy.
The $95 Million Settlement Proposal
On Tuesday evening, a preliminary settlement was filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, where Apple agreed to pay the $95 million to compensate users whose conversations may have been recorded by Siri.
While Apple denies any wrongdoing, stating, “Apple has at all times denied and continues to deny any and all alleged wrongdoing and liability,” the proposed settlement would offer compensation to affected users. If approved by US District Judge Jeffrey White, the deal would provide up to $20 per device to users whose iPhones, iPads, or Apple Watches enabled Siri between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024—dates marking the introduction of the “Hey, Siri” feature.
How Many Users Could Be Affected?
The class period for the lawsuit extends from September 17, 2014, when Siri’s “Hey, Siri” feature was launched, to December 31, 2024. Millions of Apple device owners, whose devices may have captured unauthorized recordings, could be eligible for a portion of the settlement.
Apple’s New Privacy Commitments
In addition to the payout, Apple will also be required to confirm that any private conversations recorded by Siri have been deleted. The company will also have to provide clearer information to users about how their voice data is being used moving forward.
Legal Fees and Other Costs
The plaintiffs’ lawyers may seek around $28.5 million in legal fees and an additional $1.1 million for expenses related to the settlement.
Interestingly, the $95 million settlement is roughly equal to just nine hours of profit for Apple, which reported a net income of $93.74 billion in its latest fiscal year.
Similar Settlements from Other Tech Giants
Apple’s settlement follows similar actions from other tech companies that have faced privacy allegations. In 2023, Amazon agreed to a $30 million settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after accusations of privacy violations involving its Ring doorbell cameras and Alexa digital assistant.
A separate lawsuit is currently underway involving users of Google’s Voice Assistant, also being represented by the same legal teams involved in the Apple case.
Next Steps for Apple and Users
Apple has yet to issue an official statement regarding the settlement. If the agreement is approved by the court, users may soon begin receiving payouts, and Apple will be obligated to implement stronger privacy protections.
This settlement could be a major step in ensuring greater transparency and control over how tech companies handle users’ personal data.