Apple Settles $95 Million Siri Surveillance Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

Apple's $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Privacy Issues

In a significant legal development, Apple has reached a proposed $95 million settlement regarding allegations that its Siri voice assistant may have inadvertently captured private conversations of users. This settlement is intended for users whose conversations were overheard by human contractors during quality control checks of the Siri voice assistant. The news comes from a report by Bloomberg, outlining the specifics of the settlement process.

Settlement Details

If approved, eligible users could receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they owned, with a maximum claim cap for up to five devices. However, users must meet certain criteria to qualify, including:

• Having owned or purchased a Siri-enabled device between September 17th, 2014 and December 31st, 2024.
• Swearing under oath that they triggered Siri accidentally during private conversations.

The total payout for individuals may vary since the final amount distributed will depend on the number of claims submitted by eligible parties.

Background of the Class Action Suit

The class action lawsuit originated following a 2019 report from The Guardian, revealing that Apple’s contractors routinely listened to sensitive recordings, including medical conversations and personal exchanges. They reported numerous instances where users unintentionally activated Siri without using its wake word. This resulted in human listeners overhearing private and explicit moments.

Accidental Siri Activations

One whistleblower described that common sounds, such as a zipper, could accidentally trigger Siri, leading to potential privacy breaches. While Apple acknowledged that a small percentage of recordings were sent to contractors, the company has since apologized and stated that it would cease retaining audio recordings.

Broader Implications for Tech Privacy

This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of scrutiny on major tech companies regarding user privacy. Similar issues have surfaced with Google and Amazon, which also utilize contractor services to monitor recorded exchanges. A comparable lawsuit against Google is currently pending.

Conclusion

As tech giants become increasingly enmeshed in daily life with voice assistants, the conversation around user privacy continues to evolve. The outcome of Apple’s settlement could pave the way for future regulations on data privacy and the handling of personal conversations by technology companies.

What’s Next?

Users who believe they may be eligible for the settlement should stay informed on the approval process. In the meantime, remaining cautious about how voice assistants are activated is advisable to help protect privacy.

For more information on privacy issues in technology, check our articles on Privacy Policies in Tech and Data Privacy Issues.