Apple has reached a $95 million settlement in a lawsuit that accused its voice assistant, Siri, of eavesdropping on private conversations. The deal, revealed in court filings on Thursday, maintains Apple’s stance that it has committed no wrongdoing.
The lawsuit, filed five years ago, alleged that Siri inadvertently recorded private discussions on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and HomePods. Plaintiffs claimed that "unintended Siri activations" led to conversations being captured, stored, and potentially shared with third parties without users’ consent.
Apple has consistently denied the allegations, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy—a cornerstone of its brand identity. The company’s control over its hardware and software ecosystem has been a major selling point for customers who prioritize security and privacy.
The proposed settlement outlines that eligible U.S. device owners could receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device. Additionally, Apple has agreed to ensure it deletes any mistakenly recorded conversations and to provide clear options for users to manage voice data collected for improving Siri’s functionality.
The agreement awaits judicial approval to be finalized. Apple has yet to issue a public comment on the settlement.
This development echoes similar privacy controversies in the tech world. In 2023, Amazon agreed to pay over $30 million to resolve claims that its Ring doorbell cameras and Alexa assistant violated consumer privacy.
As scrutiny over data privacy intensifies, the tech industry faces growing pressure to uphold user trust and transparency in the handling of sensitive information.
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