G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff
G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit in the United States that accused the tech giant of eavesdropping on users through its virtual assistant, Siri. The lawsuit claimed that Apple recorded users’ conversations without consent, even when Siri was not intentionally activated, and shared those recordings with advertisers to serve targeted ads. While Apple denies any wrongdoing, the settlement marks another significant legal challenge for the company in its ongoing efforts to address privacy concerns.
The claimants argued that Apple's devices, including the iPhone and Apple Watch, recorded audio without users saying the wake phrase "Hey, Siri." They alleged that Siri unintentionally activated and captured conversations that were then analyzed for keywords by advertisers. The lead plaintiff, Fumiko Lopez, claimed that she and her daughter were served targeted ads after discussing specific products like Air Jordans, suggesting that their private conversations were used for marketing purposes without their knowledge. This raised significant concerns about privacy violations, particularly around the collection and handling of user data.
In response to the lawsuit, Apple’s lawyers maintained that the company had not engaged in any improper activity. They stated that Apple had already implemented policies to delete individual Siri audio recordings collected prior to October 2019 and reiterated that the company prioritizes user privacy. Apple’s decision to settle the case reflects its desire to avoid prolonged legal proceedings and the potential reputational damage associated with a high-profile privacy lawsuit. By settling, Apple also mitigates the risk of facing a court decision that could result in a significantly larger payout.
Class action lawsuits, like this one, allow a small group of plaintiffs to represent a larger group of affected individuals. In this case, anyone who owned a Siri-enabled device between 2014 and 2019 could be eligible to receive up to $20 per device, depending on the number of claimants. According to court documents, Apple has proposed a decision date of February 14, 2025, for the settlement to be finalized. The lawyers handling the case are expected to take approximately 30% of the settlement amount, leaving around $65 million to be distributed among eligible claimants.
Apple’s handling of privacy-related lawsuits has come under increased scrutiny in recent years. In early 2024, the company began paying out settlements from a $500 million lawsuit that claimed Apple deliberately slowed down older iPhones to encourage users to upgrade. In March 2024, Apple agreed to pay $490 million in a UK class action led by Norfolk County Council over misleading warranties and device performance issues. Additionally, in November 2024, the UK consumer group Which? initiated a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of overcharging customers for its iCloud storage services.
This latest settlement is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies face growing legal and regulatory pressure to improve privacy practices. Similar lawsuits have been filed against Google, alleging that its smart devices listen to users without consent. That case is currently making its way through the same Northern California court where Apple’s settlement was proposed.
Apple’s decision to settle the Siri lawsuit highlights the challenges tech companies face in balancing the functionality of virtual assistants with the need to protect user privacy. With increasing scrutiny from regulators, consumer advocacy groups, and the public, companies like Apple must navigate complex legal landscapes to maintain user trust. While Apple’s commitment to privacy has been a key part of its brand, these lawsuits show that even industry leaders can face significant legal risks when privacy concerns arise.
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