Is Siri Eavesdropping on You? Apple Agrees to $95M Settlement
Is Apple’s Siri Eavesdropping on You? Company Agrees to $95 Million Settlement
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Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using its virtual assistant, Siri, to secretly eavesdrop on users. Filed in an Oakland, California federal court, the case alleged that Siri recorded conversations without users’ consent for over a decade, even when the trigger phrase “Hey, Siri” wasn’t used. The recordings were reportedly shared with advertisers to target consumers with personalized ads.
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This lawsuit, which dates back five years, directly challenges Apple’s reputation as a champion of user privacy—a principle CEO Tim Cook has called “a fundamental human right.” Despite the settlement, Apple denies any wrongdoing.
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If approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, the settlement will allow millions of Apple device owners from September 2014 through 2023 to file claims. Eligible users could receive up to $20 per device, with compensation capped at five devices per person. However, the final payout depends on how many people file claims, with only 3% to 5% expected to participate.
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The settlement amount is a small fraction of Apple’s $705 billion in profits since 2014. It’s also significantly less than the $1.5 billion in potential damages lawyers estimated if Apple had been found guilty of violating privacy and wiretapping laws. The attorneys who filed the case may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their legal fees.
A hearing to finalize the terms is scheduled for February 14, 2025, in Oakland, California.
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