Apple to pay USD 95m to settle Siri eavedropping lawsuit

Apple agreed to pay USD 95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its Siri virtual assistant eavesdropped on users without their consent and sold their conversations to advertisers, raising questions about the tech company's voice-activation technolog y data practices. What happened Filed in 2019, the lawuit accused Apple of violating privacy laws by allowing Siri to record conversations without users saying the activation phrase "Hey, Siri." Plaintiffs argued that these recordings were captured consistently and shared with third parties for advertising purposes. For example, users reported receiving targeted ads shortly after discussing specific products or services, suggesting that their conversations were being monitored and analysed for marketing strategies. Although Apple has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has always prioritised user privacy, the settlement aims to resolve the ongoing legal dispute and avoid the uncertainties of a trial. Why it happened The allegations stem from claims that Siri was unintentionally activated due to misinterpretations of sounds, leading to recordings of private conversations. A whistleblower previously reported that contractors overheard sensitive discussions during quality assurance tests on Siri, raising concerns about how often these unintended activations occurred. The lawsuit highlights potential flaws in Apple's privacy protocols and raises questions about the extent of data collection practices associated with voice-activated technologies and about the integrity of Apple's stated commitment to user privacy. What it means For impacted users, the settlement allows those who owned Siri-equipped devices from September 2014 to the end of 2023 to file claims for compensation, potentially receiving up to USD 20 per device. This case represents a significant moment for consumer privacy rights, particularly as it challenges Apple's reputation as a privacy-focused brand. The outcome may influence how Apple and other technology companies handle user data and privacy moving forward.

Date it happened

2014-01-01

Product, system or model

Siri

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