Apple Hit with $95M Siri Lawsuit Settlement: Here’s What It Means for You

Apple has reached a preliminary settlement of $95 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its virtual assistant, Siri, recorded private conversations without user consent. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, accused Apple of privacy violations, claiming Siri was inadvertently triggered and captured sensitive discussions, which were allegedly shared with third parties.

Lawsuit Details and Allegations

The legal action stemmed from accusations that Siri activated itself without explicit user commands, recording private moments that included sensitive topics such as medical conversations, illicit activities, and personal matters. According to reports from The Guardian and Reuters, some plaintiffs even noticed targeted ads based on their private conversations, fueling concerns about data misuse. Apple, however, denied any wrongdoing, asserting that Siri data was never used for marketing purposes or sold to third parties. Despite its stance, the company chose to settle the lawsuit to avoid prolonged litigation.

Eligibility and Settlement Terms

The settlement covers individuals who used Apple devices with Siri activated between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Eligible devices include iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and HomePods.

Class members can file claims for up to five devices if they believe Siri was unintentionally triggered during confidential conversations. Payments are capped at $20 per device, though the final amount may vary depending on the number of claims filed. Notifications of eligibility will be sent via email or postcard, with an online claims process available for convenience.

The settlement awaits final approval from a U.S. district judge in Oakland, California. A hearing is scheduled for February 14, 2025, to determine its confirmation.

Apple’s Privacy Reforms

While Apple has long been recognized for its emphasis on customer privacy, the lawsuit raised questions about the effectiveness of its policies. The company faced allegations of breaching its privacy commitments by allowing Siri recordings to be shared with third parties.

In response to concerns, Apple made significant updates to Siri’s privacy features in 2019. These changes included:

• Stopping the storage of audio recordings.
• Allowing users to opt in to share Siri interactions for improvement purposes.
• Restricting shared recordings to employee review only, ensuring they were not used for marketing.

Apple continues to uphold its claim that Siri recordings were never exploited to create marketing profiles or sell data, maintaining its commitment to customer privacy.

Impact and Future Implications

Although the $95 million settlement represents a small fraction of Apple’s earnings, it highlights the growing scrutiny tech giants face over privacy concerns. Legal experts suggest that had Apple been found guilty, penalties could have soared to $1.5 billion, underscoring the potential financial risks of privacy violations.

The settlement serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in technology as companies navigate the balance between innovation and user trust. For Apple, this resolution aims to close a chapter in its ongoing efforts to prioritize customer privacy.