Apple Settles $95 Million Lawsuit Over Siri Privacy Concerns
In a major legal development, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that its digital assistant, Siri, was recording users’ private conversations without their consent. The settlement, detailed in a court filing, requires a judge’s approval to become final.
The lawsuit, filed five years ago, accused Apple of capturing audio from “unintended Siri activations” and potentially sharing this data with third parties. This raised serious concerns about user privacy, a key aspect of Apple’s brand image and its tightly controlled hardware and software ecosystem.
Apple Denies Wrongdoing Despite Settlement
Despite agreeing to the settlement, Apple vehemently denies any wrongdoing. In the proposed settlement document, the tech giant stated: “Apple has at all times denied and continues to deny any and all alleged wrongdoing and liability.”
As part of the agreement, Apple must confirm that it has deleted any audio recordings made through unintended Siri activations. Furthermore, the company has pledged to make user choices regarding the use of voice data for Siri improvements clearer and more transparent.
Echoes of a Recent Amazon Settlement
This settlement comes on the heels of a similar case against Amazon, where the company agreed to pay over $30 million to the US Federal Trade Commission in 2023. The FTC accused Amazon of violating user privacy through its Ring doorbell cameras and Alexa digital assistant.
Protecting Your Digital Privacy
These high-profile lawsuits underscore the importance of being aware of how your digital assistant data is collected, used, and protected. Take steps to review your privacy settings on all your devices and consider limiting the information you share with your digital assistants.