Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of recording users’ conversations through its virtual assistant, Siri, without consent. The lawsuit alleged that Apple used “accidental” Siri recordings to deliver targeted ads, raising concerns over privacy and user consent. Despite agreeing to settle, Apple denied any wrongdoing, stating that the settlement was a strategic move to avoid the uncertainty of a trial, along with the potential for much higher legal costs.
The class-action lawsuit focused on accusations that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, recorded conversations when users did not invoke the feature. The plaintiffs claimed that these recordings, including those overheard in private conversations, were used to target advertisements, violating users’ privacy. The settlement provides compensation to the owners of Siri-enabled devices, with payments starting at a minimum of $20 each, depending on the number of eligible claimants. However, Apple’s settlement avoids the risk of a trial, where a potential loss could have led to damages reaching up to $1.5 billion.
Although the settlement brings a financial resolution, the broader question remains: Is Siri safer to use today? In recent years, Apple has made several updates to Siri, enhancing privacy features. In 2019, the company introduced changes allowing users to disable the storing of Siri voice recordings, and more recently, it has ensured that all Siri interactions are anonymized. The company has also emphasized its commitment to user privacy, making it a key part of its marketing campaigns.
However, the settlement underscores ongoing concerns over digital privacy, particularly around voice assistants. While Siri may have improved in terms of user control over data, questions about the extent to which tech companies can truly safeguard user information persist. As privacy concerns grow, it’s likely that consumers will continue to scrutinize the practices of companies like Apple, demanding more transparency and accountability.
