Apple Settles Siri Eavesdropping Lawsuit for $95 Million

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its virtual assistant, Siri, secretly eavesdropped on users without their consent. Filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, the lawsuit accuses Siri of recording conversations unintentionally and sharing some of these recordings with advertisers for targeted ads.

The case stems from claims that Siri was activated without the "Hey, Siri" command, leading to unintended recordings on iPhones and other Apple devices over a span of nearly a decade. The lawsuit further alleges that these recordings were used to refine targeted advertising strategies, raising concerns about privacy practices at a company renowned for its commitment to user data protection.

Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, the proposed settlement, pending approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, offers compensation to affected users. If approved, the settlement will allow consumers who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2023, to file claims.

Eligible users could receive up to $20 per device, with compensation covering up to five devices per consumer. However, the final payout amount will depend on the number of claims submitted, with estimates suggesting only 3 to 5 percent of eligible consumers may apply.

The settlement emphasizes Apple’s effort to resolve the long-standing legal dispute while maintaining its stance on privacy. A court hearing scheduled for February 14, 2025, will determine the approval of the settlement terms.

This case serves as a reminder of the fine balance between technological convenience and user privacy, raising critical questions about how companies handle voice data in today’s digital age.