Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit that accused its virtual assistant, Siri, of violating user privacy by secretly recording private conversations. This lawsuit, which was first filed five years ago, claims that Siri activated unintentionally and captured confidential conversations without the users’ knowledge or consent.
The lawsuit centers on Siri’s “Hey Siri” feature, which launched in September 2014. The feature allowed users to activate Siri by simply saying the wake words “Hey Siri,” rather than pressing a button. However, it is alleged that Siri recorded conversations even when users didn’t intend to activate it, and some of these recordings were shared with third parties, including advertisers and human reviewers.
Though Apple denies wrongdoing, the $95 million settlement is designed to resolve the issue without admitting liability. The proposed settlement still needs approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in the Northern District of California. If the settlement is finalized, it will apply to individuals who own or previously purchased Siri-enabled Apple devices from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024.
Who Is Eligible for the Siri Settlement?
To qualify for the settlement, individuals must meet these criteria:
- Be a current or former Apple user who owns or has owned a Siri-enabled device (e.g., iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, HomePod, etc.).
- Live in the United States or its territories.
- Declare under oath that their conversation was unintentionally recorded by Siri.
Settlement Payout Details
Eligible class members can receive $20 per device for up to five Siri-enabled devices. However, the exact payout per individual will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted and the number of eligible devices owned.
In addition to the financial compensation, Apple is required to:
- Confirm the permanent deletion of audio recordings collected before October 2019.
- Create a dedicated webpage to explain its “Improve Siri” program and provide transparency on the data it collects.
What’s Next?
A court hearing is scheduled for February 14, 2025, in Oakland, California, to review and potentially approve the settlement terms.
If approved, this settlement will mark a significant step in addressing the privacy concerns raised by Siri’s unintentional recordings and offer compensation to affected users. For Apple users who feel their privacy was violated, this could be an opportunity to get compensated for their unintended Siri activations.
Stay updated on the case as it progresses, and if you think you qualify, make sure to submit a claim once the settlement is officially approved.
