Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice-activated assistant, Siri, violated users’ privacy by routinely recording conversations, even when the activation was unintentional, according to a report in Reuters.
The proposed settlement, filed Tuesday night in the Oakland, California federal court, requires approval by US District Judge Jeffrey White.
This legal action sheds light on the complex intersection of technology and personal privacy, sparking debate about how tech companies handle user data.
Accusations of unauthorized recording and data disclosure
The lawsuit stemmed from complaints by mobile device owners who claimed that Siri routinely recorded their private conversations after unintentionally being activated, and that these conversations were then shared with third parties, including advertisers.
Voice assistants like Siri typically activate through “hot words” such as “Hey, Siri.”
The plaintiffs in this case alleged that mentions of specific products and services in private conversations led to targeted advertisements.
For instance, two plaintiffs reported receiving ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants after mentioning those items, while another received ads for a surgical treatment after discussing it with his doctor during what he believed was a private consultation.
A settlement to compensate millions of users
The class period covered by the settlement extends from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024, a period that began when the “Hey, Siri” feature was introduced, which plaintiffs alleged led to unauthorized recordings.
Millions of class members, the owners of Siri-enabled devices such as iPhones and Apple Watches, may receive up to $20 per device as part of the settlement.
Though Apple has denied any wrongdoing, it agreed to the settlement to resolve the lawsuit.
Apple’s silence and potential legal fees
Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, and its legal team, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter, nor did the plaintiff’s legal team.
The plaintiffs’ lawyers are expected to seek up to $28.5 million in fees, plus $1.1 million for expenses, from the settlement fund.
The $95 million settlement, while a significant amount, is equivalent to roughly nine hours of profit for Apple, which reported a net income of $93.74 billion in its last fiscal year.
A similar case against Google
This lawsuit comes in the wake of similar privacy concerns surrounding voice assistants.
A parallel class action lawsuit on behalf of users of Google’s Voice Assistant is currently pending in the San Jose, California federal court, within the same district as the Oakland court.
Notably, the plaintiffs are represented by the same law firms as in the Apple case, suggesting a broader movement addressing privacy issues related to voice-activated technology.
The case against Apple is titled Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-04577.
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