Apple Inc. has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant infringed on users’ privacy by recording private conversations without their consent.
The preliminary settlement, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, is still subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
The lawsuit stems from claims that Apple’s Siri routinely captured conversations unintentionally, even when users had not deliberately activated the voice assistant using its designated “hot words,” such as “Hey, Siri.”
According to plaintiffs, these unauthorized recordings were sometimes shared with third parties, including advertisers, leading to privacy violations.
Allegations of Privacy Breach
Plaintiffs recounted unsettling experiences in which private discussions led to targeted advertising.
For example, one plaintiff claimed that conversations about Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden prompted related advertisements. Another stated that discussing surgical treatment with their doctor resulted in ads for medical services.
This alleged unauthorized recording period began on September 17, 2014, coinciding with the launch of the “Hey, Siri” feature. The class period extends until December 31, 2024, with millions of users potentially qualifying for compensation.
According to the Reuters report, under the settlement agreement, Apple will pay $95 million into a fund, with class members eligible to claim up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. Tens of millions of users are estimated to qualify.
While Apple has agreed to the settlement, the Cupertino tech giant denies any wrongdoing. The company and its attorneys have not publicly commented on the case.
Plaintiffs’ attorneys are expected to request up to $28.5 million in legal fees and $1.1 million in associated expenses from the settlement fund.
Apple’s $95 million payout is just a fraction of its massive earnings, equating to approximately nine hours of its annual profit, which totaled $93.74 billion in the last fiscal year.
This case highlights growing legal scrutiny of tech companies over potential breaches of user privacy by virtual assistants.
A similar lawsuit involving Google’s Voice Assistant is currently pending in California, with the same legal firms representing plaintiffs in both cases.
The lawsuit, titled Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over user privacy and the growing reach of voice-activated technologies.
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