Apple Settles for $95 Million Amid Siri Eavesdropping Controversy

Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging the company eavesdropped on users when their virtual assistant, Siri, was activated inadvertently. The settlement aims to conclude more than five years of legal disputes surrounding the tech giant. However, it awaits approval from a judge in the Northern District of California.

The agreement not only imposes a significant financial penalty but also mandates Apple to delete any relevant audio recordings collected prior to October 2019 within six months after the settlement is approved. Notably, Apple did not admit any wrongdoing throughout this legal process.

Negotiations between attorneys for both sides commenced in October after years in court. The settlement makes tens of millions of consumers eligible to file claims if they owned Siri-enabled devices, such as iPhones and iPads, between September 17, 2014, and the end of 2024. Each eligible consumer could receive up to $20 per device, although the total payout may depend on the number of claims submitted. Claimants are limited to a maximum of five devices.

Currently, it is estimated that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will actually file claims. From the total settlement sum, attorneys may request as much as $28.6 million to cover their fees and expenses. Additionally, lead plaintiffs could receive up to $10,000 each for their roles as representatives for the class.

Individuals eligible for the settlement will be notified through email contacts provided by Apple. Moreover, a settlement administrator plans to promote awareness of the settlement through print and digital media channels.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2019, claimed that Apple violated user privacy by inadvertently recording conversations without users’ knowledge or consent. It was alleged that these recordings were reviewed by third-party contractors and potentially shared with advertisers for targeting purposes. Reports indicated sensitive conversations, including private medical discussions and intimate moments, were included among the recorded audio.

Following the filing of the lawsuit, Apple publicly acknowledged its shortcomings and announced a suspension of human listening practices, admitting, “We haven’t been fully living up to our high ideals.” This settlement is set for a hearing in early February, pending approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey S. White.

Courthouse News reached out to the plaintiffs’ attorneys for further comments but did not receive a response before publication.