Apple Settles Siri Privacy Lawsuit for $95 Million
In a significant move, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit that accused its voice assistant, Siri, of infringing on users’ privacy. This proposed settlement, filed in a California federal court, aims to compensate millions of mobile device owners who allege that Siri recorded their private conversations.
The Heart of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit revolves around claims from users who reported that Siri would start recording conversations without their consent. This often occurred when the voice assistant was unintentionally activated, leading to recordings that were allegedly shared with third parties, including advertisers. The plaintiffs assert that these recordings, captured without permission, were later used to target them with personalized advertisements.
Triggered Conversations and Tailored Ads
A focal point of the case is Siri’s “Hey, Siri” feature, which activates the assistant. Plaintiffs have claimed that their private discussions—mentioning brands like Air Jordan sneakers or Olive Garden—triggered ads for those very products. One plaintiff even reported receiving ads for a surgical treatment brand after discussing it privately with their doctor, as reported by Reuters.
Class Period and Compensation
The class period for this lawsuit is set from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024—marking the time when Siri introduced the “Hey, Siri” feature linked to the alleged unauthorized recordings. The settlement will provide compensation of up to ₹1,600 per Siri-enabled device, including iPhones and Apple Watches, for eligible users.
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