Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations
Apple has reached a $95 million settlement to address accusations that its virtual assistant, Siri, recorded user conversations without permission. The lawsuit, originally filed five years ago, alleged that Siri inadvertently captured private conversations even when users had not activated it with the “Hey, Siri” command. Some of these recordings were reportedly shared with third-party advertisers to facilitate targeted marketing efforts.
Although Apple denies any liability, the proposed settlement was filed in federal court in Oakland, California, and awaits the approval of U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. A hearing to review the settlement terms is scheduled for February 14. If approved, the settlement could benefit millions of Apple customers who used Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
Eligible consumers may claim up to $20 per device, with a cap of five devices per individual. The actual amount received by claimants will depend on the number of claims submitted. According to court estimates, only 3% to 5% of eligible users are expected to file claims.
The $95 million settlement represents a minimal portion of Apple’s $705 billion in profits since 2014. It is also considerably less than the $1.5 billion that plaintiffs' lawyers initially projected Apple might have to pay if found guilty in court. The attorneys representing the plaintiffs may request up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their legal fees and associated expenses.
Privacy advocates see the case as a critical reminder of the need for stronger protections and more transparent practices in handling user data.