Apple Settles Siri Eavesdropping Lawsuit for $95 Million After Privacy Breaches

In a significant development, tech giant Apple has agreed to a preliminary settlement of $95 million in a class action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant illegally recorded users without their consent. 

The settlement filed in federal court marks a significant step in resolving privacy concerns surrounding Apple's popular iPhone and other Siri-enabled devices.

The lawsuit accused Apple of violating user privacy by allowing Siri to routinely record private conversations, even when the wake phrase "Hey Siri" was not used. 

These unauthorized recordings allegedly captured sensitive information, including discussions of medical issues and intimate encounters, which the company shared with third-party contractors during Apple's Siri quality control processing.

Background on the Apple Siri Privacy Lawsuit

The Siri privacy lawsuit dates back to 2019 when reports first emerged about Apple's questionable practices related to its virtual assistant.

An exposé by The Guardian alleged that Apple employed contractors to listen to Siri audio recordings as part of efforts to improve the service. However, many of these recordings were made without user consent and involved personal moments that users reasonably expected to remain private.

Following the Guardian story, multiple Apple device owners sued the company for violating their privacy rights. 

The suits highlighted the scope of Siri's "eavesdropping," with one plaintiff detailing how his discussions of Air Jordans led to targeted advertisements for the sneakers. 

Another described receiving pharmaceutical ads after mentioning a medical procedure to their doctor in the presence of an Apple device.

Siri Class Action Lawsuit Against Details

In 2021, a federal judge allowed key claims to proceed in class action litigation that consolidated several Siri privacy complaints against Apple. 

Plaintiff‘s allegations 

The plaintiffs argued that the software violated privacy by recording confidential communications without consent. 

Apple users also detailed how Siri could be accidentally activated by different sounds, including the zip of a jacket, leading to unauthorized recording.

Apple’s Response

Apple attempted to dismiss the claims, asserting that users consented to data collection to improve Siri. 

However, the judge rejected Apple's arguments, noting that the company's privacy disclaimers did not explicitly disclose that human reviewers would be listening to recordings made in private situations.

The last ruling allowed the class action to move forward.

Apple Offers $95 Million to Settle Siri Privacy Complaints 

Under the $95 million settlement terms, Apple will establish a settlement fund to compensate Siri users whose privacy was violated by unintended recordings. 

The settlement covers users who owned Siri-enabled devices, such as an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple Watch, or HomePod, between October 2011 and December 2024.

While Apple continues to deny any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay a substantial sum to avoid further litigation. 

If the court approves the terms, the settlement will rank among the largest ever reached in a digital privacy class action lawsuit.

For context, the $95 million payout represents only about nine hours of profit for Apple based on its multi-billion dollar earnings.

Are You Eligible for a Payout?

You must meet specific criteria to qualify for a payment from the Apple Siri settlement.

While you must speak to a lawyer or review settlement documents to understand the exact criteria for qualification, a person will generally qualify if they meet the following: 

• Owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between October 12, 2011 and December 31, 2024
• Interacted with Siri during that period
• Were a U.S. resident

Common Apple products covered by the settlement include:

• iPhones from the 4S model onward
• iPads from 3rd generation onward
• Apple Watches
• MacBooks and iMacs
• HomePod smart speakers
• iPod Touch from the 5th generation onward
• AirPods and Beats wireless headphones

If you owned any of these devices and used Siri during the specified timeframe, you may have a claim in the class action.

Potential Payout Amounts for Apple Users

Apple device users who join the settlement class could receive an estimated payout of around $20 per eligible device. 

However, the exact amount will depend on the number of valid claims submitted - individual payments may be lower if the number of claimants rises.

Approximately a third of the settlement fund will go towards attorneys' fees and expenses. 

Named plaintiffs who led the litigation may also receive "service awards" of up to $7,500 each. After deducting these costs. The courts will distribute the remainder of the fund to class members who file approved claims, 

How Eligible Apple Device Owners Can Claim a Settlement Payment

Eligible device owners must submit a valid claim form online or by mail. The deadline to file a claim will be 90 days after the settlement receives final approval from the court.

Documentation required 

When submitting a claim, class members will need to provide information such as the following:

• Name, mailing address, and contact details
• Apple device serial number(s) or Apple ID
• Attestation of ownership and Siri usage during the class period.

After the court finalizes the agreement, it will provide detailed instructions on filing a claim on the official settlement website. 

Potential claimants should monitor the site for key dates and deadlines related to the claims process.

Apple's Recommitment to Siri User Privacy

In the wake of the Siri eavesdropping claims, Apple has emphasized protecting user privacy. 

In a statement following the announced settlement, an Apple spokesperson asserted:

"Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning. We focus on doing as much on device as possible, minimizing the amount of data we collect with Siri."

The company also maintained that it does not sell Siri data or use Siri recordings to target advertisements. It characterizes the settlement as a means to avoid further litigation and move forward from concerns it claims to have already addressed through policy changes in 2019.

Post-lawsuit policy changes 

• Apple will no longer retain Siri audio recordings by default.
• Users can now opt out of sharing Siri data.
• Human reviewers can only listen to anonymized audio samples.
• Users can delete recordings inadvertently captured through accidental activations.

These steps recognize the importance of securing privacy when using digital assistants like Siri.

Did Apple Siri Violate Your Privacy Rights?

Apple may have recorded your private conversations if you owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between 2011 and 2024.

Apple's $95 million settlement offers an opportunity to hold the company accountable and recover a portion of the profits it made through its questionable Siri data practices.

Don't miss your chance to stand up for your privacy rights and get the compensation you deserve.