Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations
In a significant legal development, Apple has reached a preliminary settlement of $95 million (£77 million) in a court case that accused the technology giant of illegally listening to users without their consent through the Siri virtual assistant.
The lawsuit contended that some of Apple’s devices were eavesdropping on customers and purportedly sharing voice recordings with advertisers. While Apple has opted to settle, it maintains that it has committed no wrongdoing in relation to these claims.
As part of the settlement negotiations, Apple denied allegations that it “recorded, disclosed to third parties, or failed to delete conversations recorded as the result of a Siri activation” without user consent. Furthermore, the company has stated that it will provide confirmation that it has “permanently deleted individual Siri audio recordings collected prior to October 2019.”
However, the claimants argue that Apple recorded audio from users who activated Siri unintentionally, even in the absence of the activation phrase “Hey, Siri.” They alleged that advertisers had access to these recordings, allowing them to utilize specific keywords for targeted advertising.
Upcoming court proceedings have set a decision date of February 14 in Oakland, California. Class action lawsuits operate on the principle that a small group of individuals litigates on behalf of a larger group, and if successful, the compensation is distributed among all claimants. According to court documents, U.S. claimants may receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device owned between 2014 and 2019. Legal fees for the attorneys representing the claimants may amount to 30% of the settlement, totaling nearly $30 million.
By opting for a settlement, Apple not only reaffirms its stance of denying any misconduct but also circumvents the uncertainties of a potential court trial, which could result in a more substantial financial penalty. In its recent financial disclosures, Apple reported earnings of $94.9 billion for the quarter ending September 28, 2024.
This case is not isolated; Apple has faced multiple class action lawsuits in recent years. Earlier in January 2024, the company began disbursing funds from a $500 million lawsuit that claimed the deliberate slowdown of iPhones in the U.S. Additionally, in March, Apple consented to a $490 million payout in another class action case led by Norfolk County Council in the UK. Furthermore, in November, consumer advocacy group Which? initiated legal action against Apple, alleging fraudulent practices regarding its iCloud service.
