Apple agreed to pay $95 mil settling a class-action lawsuit relating misrepresentations about Siri’s supposed recording of private conversations of users, without their consent.
This settlement, equivalent to nine hours of Apple’s profits according to the company’s net earnings of $93.74 billion in its latest fiscal year, occurs at a time of growing concerns about privacy and legitimate use of artificial intelligence features on voice enabled products. While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, it decided to resolve the case to avoid a prolonged legal battle.
The issue began in 2019 when reports surfaced that Siri could unintentionally activate and record private conversations. These events raised public awareness and in turn resulted in legal proceedings. Under the settlement terms, eligible Siri users in the U.S. whose private conversations were inadvertently recorded will receive compensation. Detailed data of the case, the amount of settlement, and who is eligible to receive settlement are described in this article.
In October 2023, a tort action involving alleged privacy violations from September 17, 2014, until December 31, 2024, was filed in the United States District Court, Oakland, California. The case stemmed from whistleblower reports in 2019, revealing that Apple contractors conducting Siri quality assurance tests could listen to private user conversations. These recordings reportedly included sensitive content such as medical discussions, intimate moments, and conversations unintentionally captured due to Siri’s accidental activations, sometimes triggered by ordinary background noises like a zipper.
The lawsuit raised three main concerns: The lawsuit raised three main concerns:
Unintended Activation: Siri would often mislabel common noises as its wake phrase, “Hey Siri.
Eavesdropping: Contractors allegedly reviewed up to 1,000 recordings daily, heightening fears of privacy violations.
Data Sharing Allegations: Plaintiffs claimed Apple shared recordings with advertisers, alleging targeted ads resulted from private conversations.
Apple Lawsuit Settlement Amount
The $95 million settlement with Apple has been distributed to provide proportional compensation to the claimants, as well as to cover legal expenses. Each eligible claimant can get up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they own during the claimed period. Almost one third of the total settlement, i.e., $30 million, has been allocated to attorneys‟ fees and associated legal costs. The balance remaining will be divided among the claimants to make them whole for alleged violations of their privacy. On 14 February 2025, the court should approve the final terms and conditions of the settlement.
Who is Eligible for the Settlement?
Eligibility for compensation under the settlement is limited to U.S.-based individuals who owned or used Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019. In order to qualify, claimants have to demonstrate the use of such devices during such period and were were potentially exposed to Siri supposed unauthorised recordings. Proof of ownership and correct information needs to be included against the claim form.
The decree covers a broad array of Siri-enabled devices. The following is an outline of the devices that are eligible and their corresponding eligibility periods.
Apple’s Response
Apple has repeatedly maintained innocence and stressed its dedication to user privacy. In public announcements, the company confirmed that SIRI data was never (and still is not) sold, or given to targeted marketing. Notable points in Apple’s defence include:
Engineering for Privacy: Siri was built with its ability of anonymizing user data and personal information in mind.
Policy Revisions: After the 2019 whistleblower disclosures, Apple stopped grading and recording in the absence of a facilitator.
Strict Confidentiality: Apple quality assurance has requested that contractors sign with strict confidentiality agreements.
In a statement, Shane Bauer, Apple spokespeoplе, said, “At no time has Siri data been used to create advertising psychographics, and it has never been sold to anyone, for any reason.
Settlement Claim Form
- The settlement website will be online by February 2025. Once active, claimants should:
- Visit the settlement website to access the claim form.
- Furnishing required information such as device serial numbers or proof of purchase, etc.
- Select a preferred payment method.
- Please submit the claim by the submission deadline, which is projected to be May 15, 2025.
What can Users do to Protect Themselves?
As a result, the settlement has brought new privacy anxieties for Apple’s consumers. For enhanced security of personal data, users may do a number of things on their own. Turning off Siri can help limit potential privacy risks. Here’s how to do it on different devices:
- For iPhone/iPad
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search and turn off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’.”
- Turn off the controls for “Press Home for Siri” or “Press Side Button for Siri.
For Mac
- Tap the Apple icon, then select System Preferences Siri Spotlight, and “Disable” “Ask Siri.
- Adjusting Privacy Settings
- Fine-tuning privacy settings can further enhance security:
- Check and monitor app permissions so that the apps obtain only the required information.
- Enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection.
- Update device software regularly to stay up-to-date with the latest privacy and security enhancements.