19

Apple has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $95 million (£77 million) after allegations that its virtual assistant, Siri, eavesdropped on users without their consent. The lawsuit accuses Apple of collecting voice recordings through Siri, even when the assistant wasn’t activated intentionally, and sharing those recordings with advertisers.

Allegations and Apple’s Response

The plaintiffs claim that Apple recorded conversations without users’ knowledge, including discussions on private topics. These voice recordings were allegedly shared with advertisers to refine targeted ads, including ads for products like Air Jordans.

Apple has denied these accusations. The company insists that it never recorded or shared user conversations without permission. Apple also states that it deleted all Siri audio recordings triggered by accidental activations prior to October 2019. Legal teams confirm that no individual Siri recordings were stored beyond that date.

Lead plaintiff Fumiko Lopez shared her experience, stating that both she and her daughter were unintentionally recorded by Siri and later received targeted ads for products they had discussed.

Class Action Lawsuit and Financial Impact

This lawsuit is a class action, meaning that a few plaintiffs represent a larger group of affected users. A decision on the proposed settlement will be made by February 14 in Northern California court. If approved, U.S. claimants who owned Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019 may receive up to $20 per device.

Apple’s legal expenses are considerable, with attorneys set to receive 30% of the settlement—about $30 million. By settling, Apple avoids a court trial and reduces the risk of a more substantial payout.

Ongoing Legal Challenges for Apple

This settlement adds to Apple’s growing list of legal issues. In January 2024, the company agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims that it deliberately slowed down iPhones. Later that year, in March, Apple settled a £490 million UK class action led by Norfolk County Council. In November, consumer group Which? filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of overcharging for iCloud services.

Despite these legal troubles, Apple continues to perform well financially. In its latest earnings report, Apple posted $94.9 billion in revenue for the quarter ending September 28, 2024.

The Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen) with Alexa offers a privacy-conscious alternative for controlling your smart home, playing music, and answering questions with customizable voice settings.

Growing Eavesdropping Concerns in Tech

The Siri lawsuit is part of a broader pattern of eavesdropping accusations against major tech companies. Google is facing similar claims, with the same law firm representing plaintiffs in both cases. Google is accused of eavesdropping on users through its devices, and the proceedings are also taking place in Northern California.