Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement in Siri Eavesdropping Lawsuit

     In a significant development, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its virtual assistant, Siri, violated users' privacy by eavesdropping on their conversations. The proposed settlement, filed on Tuesday in a federal court in Oakland, California, aims to resolve a legal battle that has been ongoing for five years.

     The lawsuit, initiated in 2019, claimed that Apple covertly activated Siri to capture conversations via iPhones and other devices equipped with the assistant for over a decade. According to the plaintiffs, these recordings occurred even when users did not trigger Siri with the activation phrase "Hey, Siri". Key points of the allegations include:

• Siri allegedly recorded private conversations without consent.
• Some recorded dialogues were reportedly shared with advertisers for targeted marketing.
• Plaintiffs claimed to receive ads for products mentioned in private conversations.

     The proposed settlement, which awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, includes the following terms:

• Apple will pay $95 million to resolve the lawsuit.
• Eligible consumers who owned Siri-equipped Apple devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may file claims.
• Users could receive up to $20 for each affected device, with a limit of five devices per consumer.
• Apple has agreed to confirm the permanent deletion of Siri audio recordings obtained before October 2019.
• The company will create a webpage explaining how customers can opt-in to the "Improve Siri" feature.

     This settlement represents a fraction of Apple's $705 billion in profits since 2014 and less than 10% of the estimated $1.5 billion in potential trial damages. However, it highlights growing concerns about privacy in the age of voice-activated assistants. The case has drawn attention to the contrast between Apple's public stance on privacy and the allegations of intrusive practices. CEO Tim Cook has frequently described privacy as "a fundamental human right", making these accusations particularly damaging to Apple's image.

Looking Ahead

     While Apple denies any wrongdoing in the settlement, this case may prompt increased scrutiny of voice-activated assistants across the tech industry. As consumers become more aware of potential privacy risks, companies may need to reassess their practices and enhance transparency regarding data collection and usage. The settlement still requires court approval, with a proposed hearing date of February 14. If approved, it could set a precedent for how tech companies handle user privacy in the context of AI-powered assistants.