Apple Settles Privacy Lawsuit Over Siri Recordings
A Major Win for Mobile Device Owners
In a significant development, Apple has agreed to pay a whopping $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice-activated Siri assistant violated users’ privacy. The proposed settlement, filed in the Oakland, California federal court, requires approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
The Allegations
Mobile device owners claimed that Apple regularly recorded their private conversations after they unintentionally activated Siri, and shared these conversations with third-party advertisers. The issue arose when users uttered “hot words” like “Hey, Siri,” triggering the voice assistant to spring into action. In some cases, users reported receiving targeted ads for products they had discussed, including Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants.
The Impact
The class period, which spans from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024, affects an estimated tens of millions of users. Those who owned Siri-enabled devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, may be eligible to receive up to $20 per device. The settlement amount is a small fraction of Apple’s net income, which stood at $93.74 billion in its latest fiscal year – equivalent to just nine hours of profit.
Denial of Wrongdoing
Apple has denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to the settlement. The company and its lawyers have declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs’ lawyers may seek up to $28.5 million in fees, plus $1.1 million for expenses, from the settlement fund.
A Similar Case Against Google
A similar lawsuit, filed on behalf of users of Google’s Voice Assistant, is pending in the San Jose, California federal court. The same law firms representing the plaintiffs in the Apple case are also handling the Google lawsuit.
The Case Details
The case is Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 19-04577.
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