A long-held suspicion – that your phone might be listening even when you don’t ask it to – has taken a significant turn. Apple has agreed to a nearly $100 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging Siri secretly recorded and shared conversations without user consent.
The lawsuit, filed in 2019, claimed Apple’s voice assistant wasn’t just responding to “Hey Siri” commands. Plaintiffs alleged accidental activations led to conversations being recorded and, disturbingly, shared with advertisers. The suit detailed specific examples of targeted ads appearing after private discussions.
Imagine discussing Air Jordan sneakers, a specific surgical procedure, or even Pit Viper sunglasses, only to be bombarded with ads for those very items. This is precisely what the plaintiffs experienced, fueling their claim that Apple was profiting from private conversations.
The scope of the lawsuit is extensive, covering devices activated between September 2014 and December 2024. This includes iPhones, Apple Watches, and any other Apple product equipped with “Hey Siri” functionality. Millions of users could potentially be eligible for compensation.
While Apple maintains it has done nothing wrong, agreeing to the settlement avoids further legal battles. The company insists Siri data has never been used for marketing profiles or sold to third parties, framing the settlement as a resolution to concerns already addressed in 2019.
Apple states that data collected is solely used to improve Siri’s performance and enhance user privacy. They are continually developing new technologies to safeguard user information, but the lawsuit’s allegations clearly struck a nerve with many consumers.
The $95 million settlement figure is noteworthy, but a substantial portion will likely be consumed by legal fees – potentially exceeding $30 million. This contrasts with other class-action settlements, like the iPhone 6 battery issue, which resulted in a $500 million payout.
Eligible class members may receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, though the exact amount will depend on the final settlement terms. Individuals who were part of the class have begun receiving emails containing unique codes needed to file a claim.
However, accessing the claims website has proven difficult for some, with reports of temporary login issues. Payments are now beginning to arrive for eligible recipients, marking a tangible outcome from this landmark case.
This settlement serves as a stark reminder of the importance of data privacy and the potential for technology to intrude on personal conversations. It also highlights the power of collective action in holding large corporations accountable.
