Apple has reached a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over Siri privacy concerns, which dates back to 2019. The lawsuit was triggered by a report revealing that Apple’s quality control contractors had access to sensitive audio recordings made by Siri’s “Hey Siri” feature, some of which included medical information, criminal activities, and even private moments. The settlement, which affects millions of Siri-enabled device users, still requires approval from US District Judge Jeffrey White before becoming official.
Details of the Settlement
The class action lawsuit claims that Apple’s contractors inadvertently overheard and recorded private conversations, leading to privacy violations. Two plaintiffs described receiving targeted ads after discussing products like Nike Air Jordans and Olive Garden, while another plaintiff alleged receiving ads for a surgical treatment after discussing it with their doctor. Apple has agreed to settle for $95 million, potentially providing affected users with up to $20 per Siri-enabled device.
Apple’s Response to the Lawsuit
While denying any wrongdoing, Apple has emphasized its commitment to user privacy. In a statement, the company reiterated that Siri data is not used for advertising and is never sold to third parties. Apple also pointed out that it made changes to its policies after the initial 2019 controversy, including suspending the program and revising how Siri data is handled. Now, only Apple employees are involved in reviewing Siri recordings, and the company has implemented additional safeguards to protect user privacy. It also stated that only devices with the A12 Bionic chip or newer process audio entirely on-device.
Next Steps for Affected Users
The lawsuit class period spans from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024, which means if you owned a Siri-enabled device during this time, you may be eligible for compensation once Judge White approves the settlement. Users can check their privacy settings to determine if they opted into sharing Siri data. To see or delete any stored transcripts, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Improve Siri & Dictation.
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