Apple has reached a significant class-action settlement, agreeing to pay $95 million over allegations that private conversations with Siri were unknowingly recorded and accessed by outside contractors.
If approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, the settlement, filed in Oakland, CA, will compensate affected users with up to $20 for each Apple device equipped with Siri, including the iPhone and Apple Watch.
The lawsuit emerged from user complaints about unintentional activation of Siri and a whistleblower report revealing that Apple contractors had access to sensitive voice recordings during quality control assessments. The recordings reportedly included personal information related to medical issues, illicit activities, and private matters between individuals. Users contended that Siri was activated in response to unrelated sounds, contrary to its intended activation by the phrase “hey Siri.”
Claims from Apple users suggested that their conversations were recorded and shared with third-party advertisers, resulting in targeted advertisements for items discussed privately, including medical procedures. In response, Apple issued a formal apology and announced it would cease saving voice recordings.
This lawsuit covers incidents from September 17, 2014, through December 31, 2024. Affected Apple users must submit a claim for up to five Siri-enabled Apple devices (such as iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, or Apple TVs) and affirm under oath that Siri was activated during private conversations.
Apple is not alone in facing scrutiny over privacy issues related to voice assistants, as Google is currently involved in a similar class-action lawsuit concerning the unintentional triggering of Google Assistant.
