Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging its virtual assistant, Siri, secretly eavesdropped on users. The proposed settlement, filed Tuesday in an Oakland, California federal court, addresses claims that Apple recorded conversations without user consent and shared this data with advertisers.
The lawsuit accused Apple of violating privacy by activating Siri on iPhones and other devices without the trigger phrase “Hey, Siri.” The recordings allegedly spanned over a decade, capturing conversations later used to target advertisements.
A Privacy Contradiction
Apple has built a reputation as a privacy-first company, with CEO Tim Cook describing user privacy as a “fundamental human right.” The claims of unauthorized recordings run counter to this stance, raising questions about the company’s practices.
Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, the settlement—if approved—could provide restitution to millions of device owners. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White is expected to review the terms at a court hearing on February 14.
What This Means for Apple Users
If the settlement is finalized, consumers who owned Siri-enabled Apple devices between September 17, 2014, and the end of 2024 could be eligible for compensation. Each eligible claimant could receive up to $20 per device, with a maximum of five devices covered per consumer. However, the exact payment amount may vary depending on the number of claims filed.
The Bigger Picture
The $95 million settlement is a small fraction of Apple’s massive $705 billion profit since 2014 and significantly less than the estimated $1.5 billion in potential damages had the case been trialed. Attorneys representing consumers must request $29.6 million from the settlement to cover legal fees and expenses.
This case highlights the growing concerns over data privacy, even as technology giants like Apple position themselves as champions of user rights.
Source: Swifteradio.com
