Apple has reached a $95 million settlement regarding a lawsuit purportedly accusing the company of secretly recording users through Siri. The complaint filed in Oakland, California, alleges that the company used its virtual assistant, Siri, to capture private conversations without permission. Over ten years, iPhones and other Apple devices reportedly recorded these conversations.
Unauthorized Activations of Siri Resulting in Breach of Privacy
The lawsuit claimed that Siri activated in situations unrelated to the recognition phrase, “Hey, Siri,” recording private conversations and, in some cases, sharing them with advertisers. It also asserted that companies used these recordings to target users with personalized advertisements. In this case, if a user was talking to a friend about a new bike, the next thing they would see was ads related to bikes popping up.
Apple Denies Any Ospring Incursions into Wrongdoing in the Case and Is Willing to Do Settlement
Apple has not presumably admitted any violation of the law. It maintains that it has never inappropriately used customer data. It says any extended litigation and additional expense prompted the decision to settle the case. The court has preliminarily approved the agreement.
Compensation to Siri Users Affected
The pregnant settlement includes U.S. Siri Users between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, who owned Siri-enabled devices. A dedicated website for claiming compensation will launch within 45 days, providing users with the necessary information and claim process. Apple must provide the contact information of affected customers. Claims can be filed until May 15, 2025.
Eligible users should receive up to $20 per device, with a limit of five claims per person. However, that payment is dependent on the total number of valid claimants. The money will then be shared after the closing of the claims window.
