Siri users alert! Apple settles privacy lawsuit for Millions

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing its Siri voice assistant of violating user privacy. The settlement, pending court approval, could provide affected users with up to $20 per Siri-enabled device.

The lawsuit alleged that Siri recorded private conversations without consent and shared them with third parties, including advertisers. Plaintiffs reported instances of Siri activating unintentionally, leading to targeted ads for brands like Air Jordans or Olive Garden, as well as sensitive topics like medical procedures.

The case focused on recordings made between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, following the introduction of the “Hey, Siri” feature. The lawsuit also claimed Apple failed to obtain user consent before recording conversations.

Apple denied wrongdoing and reiterated its commitment to privacy, emphasizing that its devices are designed to only respond to the “Hey, Siri” command. However, it came to light in 2019 that Apple contractors overheard private conversations during quality checks. The company has since ceased recording audio by default.

The settlement highlights ongoing concerns about privacy in the era of smart devices and voice assistants.