Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of violating user privacy through its Siri voice assistant. The lawsuit alleged that Apple improperly recorded and shared users' confidential voice interactions due to unintended Siri activations.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
The settlement applies to U.S.-based individuals who owned or purchased a Siri-enabled device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Users who experienced accidental Siri activations that led to their private conversations being recorded or shared with third parties may qualify for compensation.
Eligible devices include:
iPhone
iPad
Apple Watch
MacBook
iMac
HomePod
iPod touch
Apple TV
Users can submit claims for up to five devices, receiving $20 per device if approved.
Background: The Siri Privacy Controversy
The lawsuit was sparked by a 2019 report from The Guardian, which revealed that third-party contractors were reviewing Siri recordings to improve Apple’s voice assistant. These recordings allegedly included private conversations, raising serious privacy concerns.
A September 2021 amended complaint further claimed that Apple shared accidentally recorded private conversations with third-party advertisers, potentially using Siri data for targeted ads.
Apple’s Response & Privacy Updates
Apple has denied any wrongdoing, stating there is no concrete evidence linking Siri recordings to targeted advertising. However, in response to the backlash, the company:
Apologized for not meeting its own privacy standards.
Introduced an opt-in system for Siri audio analysis.
Implemented settings to disable analytics collection for Siri and dictation.
Allowed users to delete Siri history to enhance privacy.
Other Tech Giants Facing Similar Lawsuits
Apple isn’t alone in facing voice assistant-related privacy lawsuits. Google was also accused of privacy violations with its Assistant in 2019 and is currently fighting a similar case in U.S. District Court.
Final Thoughts
This settlement underscores the ongoing privacy challenges with voice assistants and raises important questions about user consent and data security. If you owned a Siri-enabled device during the specified period, you may be eligible to claim compensation.
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