Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement concerning a lawsuit that accused the company of misusing its virtual assistant, Siri, in a manner that breached its commitment to user privacy. The lawsuit claims that Siri was secretly listening and recording users’ conversations, raising significant privacy and ethical concerns. This proposed settlement, which has been filed in federal court, requires judicial approval before it can take effect.
The lawsuit originated from a filing by the Wood Law Firm in August 2019, prompted by a report from The Guardian. This report alleged that Siri’s microphone might have been activated without users’ consent, capturing conversations in the process. Although a software update released in September 2014 was intended to ensure Siri would only respond to the prompt “Hey, Siri,” the article suggested otherwise—that Siri was continuously listening to enhance its performance and technology.
Further allegations surfaced in the lawsuit claiming that Apple may have shared secret recordings with advertisers seeking to target consumers more effectively. This added another layer of concern regarding the company’s handling of personal data and its adherence to privacy standards.
As for the settlement specifics, millions of U.S. consumers who acquired iPhones or devices featuring Siri from September 17, 2014, until the end of 2020 are eligible to file claims. However, it is still unclear how much each eligible participant will receive. The current estimate suggests a payout of up to $20 per device, though this will be contingent on how many claims are filed and the costs associated with legal fees, which could further diminish the pool of available funds. Presently, it is anticipated that only a small percentage (3% to 5%) of eligible claimants will actually file. Lawyers involved in the case are seeking around $30 million for their work, but this amount can be contested and is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, with a hearing set for February 14 to finalize settlement details.
Were Apple’s actions illegal? If proven true, these allegations could suggest violations of federal wiretapping laws, designed to safeguard personal privacy. Nonetheless, Apple has firmly denied the charges, stating that it would not have faced any allegations if the matter had proceeded to trial. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claimed that if the case had concluded negatively for Apple, the company could have faced damages amounting to $1.5 billion. While Apple has not commented on why it opted for a settlement, other major corporations often find it financially prudent to resolve class-action lawsuits, avoiding escalating legal expenses and potential negative public relations fallout. The lawsuit strikes at the heart of Apple’s professed values surrounding privacy, which the company promotes as a “fundamental human right.”
Even though the settlement of $95 million is substantial, within the context of Apple’s financial performance, it is relatively minor. Since the September 2014 issue, Apple has accumulated profits exceeding $700 billion, pushing its market value to approximately $3.7 trillion.
Lastly, if you’re concerned about privacy and the potential for your devices to be listening in, it’s worth noting that similar allegations exist against Google concerning its virtual assistant on Android devices, which is ongoing in a federal court in San Jose, California.
If you wish to disable Siri, you can do so by following these steps:
1. Open Settings and select Siri & Search.
2. Switch off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” and the “Press Side Button for Siri” option.
3. When prompted, confirm by tapping “Turn Off Siri.”
To restrict app access to your microphone, you can go to Settings, select the specific application, and toggle off Microphone permissions.
