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Is Siri listening without your permission?
Claimants accuse Siri of unintentionally activating and recording private conversations without the wake phrase “Hey, Siri.” Photo Credit: Apple
Apple is once again in the news after agreeing to pay $95 million (£77 million) to settle a lawsuit. The complaint centres on claims that Siri, the company’s virtual assistant, recorded conversations without users’ permission.
The arguments
Privacy Concerns
The main focus of the case is the claim that Siri was accidentally turned on, capturing conversations without the wake word “Hey, Siri.” The claimants contend that sharing these videos with advertising may have violated user privacy and trust.
Impact on Apple’s Reputation
While Apple denies the allegations, the settlement suggests an attempt to avoid prolonged litigation and reputational damage. Apple’s track record of involvement in class-action lawsuits might indicate systemic issues in how it handles user data.
Broader Implications for Big Tech
The lawsuit raises questions about how tech companies use voice-activated assistants. Are the protections and transparency around such technology adequate? If Apple and Google face similar allegations, is this a sign of an industry-wide problem?
Apple’s Financial Muscle
While $95 million may seem substantial, it is a drop in the ocean compared to Apple’s $94.9 billion revenue in the last quarter of 2024 alone. Settling such lawsuits might simply be a cost of doing business for a tech giant of this scale.
Consumer Compensation
Although the settlement offers up to $20 per affected device, the reality is far less rosy for claimants. With lawyers potentially taking 30% of the payout, users might question whether class-action lawsuits genuinely serve their interests.
The facts
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve claims in a class-action lawsuit accusing it of recording Siri users without their permission.
The company, however, denies allegations of recording, sharing, or failing to delete conversations collected via Siri without users’ consent.
The settlement covers users of Siri-enabled devices in the United States from 2014 to 2019. Eligible claimants may receive up to $20 per device.
Earlier in 2024, Apple paid $500 million over claims it slowed down iPhones. In March 2024, the company agreed to a £490 million settlement in the UK regarding another class-action suit. Also, a similar lawsuit against Google is under review in Northern California, accusing Google of listening to users via its smart devices.
