Apple agrees to compensate users for unintentional Siri recordings, offering up to $20 per affected device.
Key Points at a Glance
- Apple settles lawsuit for $95 million without admitting wrongdoing.
- Siri allegedly recorded private conversations due to unintended activations.
- Eligible users may receive $20 per device purchased between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
- Whistleblower claims recordings included sensitive personal interactions.
- Final settlement approval hearing is set for February 14, 2025.
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve allegations that its Siri voice assistant recorded private conversations without user consent. The settlement, stemming from a class-action lawsuit filed in 2020, follows years of litigation and controversy surrounding unintended Siri activations.
Unintentional Activations
The lawsuit alleged that Siri was inadvertently triggered by actions such as raising an Apple Watch or detecting speech, even without users saying the wake phrase, “Hey, Siri.” These accidental recordings reportedly included private discussions, business deals, and sensitive personal moments. Plaintiffs claimed that some of these recordings were shared with contractors for quality assurance or contributed to eerily precise targeted ads—claims that Apple denies.
While Apple has admitted no wrongdoing, the settlement acknowledges that unintentional Siri activations did occur. Eligible users who owned Siri-enabled devices during the period between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may claim compensation of $20 per device for up to five devices.
Legal and Financial Implications
Plaintiffs argued that Apple violated state and federal privacy laws, including the Wiretap Act, which could have resulted in damages exceeding $1.5 billion if the class action had gone to trial. However, the settlement reflects approximately 10–15% of expected recoverable damages, partly due to uncertainties in proving the scope of the alleged misconduct.
The settlement also ensures that affected recordings will be permanently deleted, addressing user concerns about privacy violations.
A Broader Privacy Debate
The controversy surrounding Siri highlights the challenges of ensuring privacy in voice-activated technologies. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other companies, including Google, over alleged privacy violations by their voice assistants.
As technology companies increasingly rely on AI-powered devices, consumer trust remains critical. This case underscores the need for transparency and robust safeguards to protect user data.
Next Steps
The settlement awaits final approval at a hearing scheduled for February 14, 2025. If approved, Apple will notify eligible users about their claims. This resolution represents a step forward in addressing privacy concerns while leaving broader questions about the future of data privacy in the hands of courts and legislators.
