Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to end a class-action lawsuit that accused it of recording private conversations without consent. This case, which dates back to 2019, could concern millions of users of Apple devices equipped with Siri.
$95 million settlement for privacy violation
The agreement, which must still be validated by federal judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California, provides for compensation of up to $20 per Siri-compatible device. The plaintiffs alleged that Apple recorded their conversations without their consent via the “Hey Siri” feature, and that these recordings were then shared with third-party advertisers for ad targeting.
Several users have reported disturbing cases: some have seen advertisements for Air Jordan or Olive Garden appear after simply talking about them. Another plaintiff claims to have received advertisements for surgical treatment after discussing it privately with his doctor. The relevant period extends from September 17, 2014 to December 31, 2024, corresponding to the introduction of the “Hey Siri” function.
Significant changes in the privacy policy
Following this controversy, Apple has already implemented several important changes:
- An internal audit of Siri-related practices
- The introduction of new authorization requests for audio recordings
Although Apple denies any responsibility for the deal, the $95 million sum (which represents about nine hours of profits for the company, according to Reuters) shows the growing importance of privacy issues in the tech sector. For information, a similar action is underway against Google and its Voice Assistant in the federal court in San José.
Note that the American plaintiffs will be able to receive financial compensation. The exact terms for claiming compensation have not yet been revealed, but should be clarified once the agreement is finally approved. The plaintiffs’ attorneys will be able to seek up to $28.5 million in fees, plus $1.1 million for costs, from the settlement fund.
