Apple Pays $95M to Settle Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Apple’s Privacy Pledge Put to the Test

In a surprise move, tech giant Apple has agreed to shell out a whopping $95 million to settle a long-standing lawsuit accusing its virtual assistant Siri of secretly recording conversations on iPhones and other devices. The proposed settlement, filed in an Oakland, California federal court, aims to resolve a five-year-old dispute centered around allegations that Apple’s Siri was activated without users’ knowledge or consent, capturing private conversations and sharing them with advertisers.

Siri’s Snooping Ways

The lawsuit claimed that Siri was programmed to record conversations even when users didn’t intentionally activate it with the trigger phrase “Hey, Siri.” These recordings were then allegedly used to target consumers with personalized ads, a practice that flies in the face of Apple’s touted commitment to protecting user privacy. This commitment, championed by CEO Tim Cook, has long been a cornerstone of the company’s brand identity.

A Settlement, Not an Admission

While Apple has agreed to the settlement, it’s worth noting that the company is not acknowledging any wrongdoing. The deal still requires approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, with a proposed court hearing scheduled for February 14. If approved, the settlement could benefit tens of millions of consumers who owned Siri-equipped Apple devices between September 2014 and the end of last year.

What’s in it for Consumers?

Eligible consumers could receive up to $20 per device, although the final payout may vary depending on the number of claims filed. Notably, only a small percentage of eligible consumers – estimated at 3% to 5% – are expected to take advantage of the settlement. Each consumer will be limited to seeking compensation for a maximum of five devices.

A Drop in the Bucket

The $95 million settlement represents a mere fraction of Apple’s profits since September 2014, which total a staggering $705 billion. It’s also a far cry from the estimated $1.5 billion that Apple could have been forced to pay if the case had gone to trial and the company was found guilty of violating wiretapping and privacy laws. The lawyers representing consumers, meanwhile, may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover their fees and expenses.

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