Apple to Pay Siri Users $20 Per Device in Settlement Over Accidental Siri Privacy Violations

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a civil lawsuit accusing the company of deploying its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on people using its iPhone and other devices. The lawsuit, which dates back to 2019, alleges that Siri recorded conversations even when users did not seek to activate the virtual assistant with the trigger words, "Hey, Siri." These recordings were then shared with advertisers without users' consent, targeting them with specific ads based on their private conversations1 2 4.

Key Highlights:

Settlement Amount: Apple will pay $95 million to settle the lawsuit1 2 3.
Allegations: The lawsuit claims that Siri recorded private conversations without users' consent and shared them with advertisers for targeted advertising1 2 4.
Impact on Users: Two plaintiffs alleged that they received ads for products they mentioned in private conversations, while another received ads for a surgical treatment after discussing it with his doctor2 5.
Privacy Breach: The lawsuit highlights a significant privacy breach, as Apple contractors were privy to confidential medical information, drug deals, and intimate moments when Siri was accidentally activated4 5.
Settlement Terms: The proposed settlement requires Apple to permanently delete Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019 and publish a webpage explaining how users can opt-in to improve Siri and detailing what information Apple collects2 3 4.
Eligibility: Tens of millions of Apple users who owned iPhones and other Siri-equipped devices from September 17, 2014, through December 31, 2024, could file claims for up to $20 per device, although only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are expected to file claims1 2 4.

Context:

The lawsuit initially focused on Apple's lack of disclosure about human oversight of Siri recordings. However, an amended complaint that focused on Siri recordings used for targeted advertising was allowed to move forward in September 20215. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in the settlement, which still must be approved by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White1 2 3.