Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class-action lawsuit that accused its Siri voice assistant of violating user privacy. The lawsuit, filed in Oakland, California, claims that Siri inadvertently recorded private conversations, even when users did not activate the voice assistant using its designated hot words like “Hey, Siri.” The plaintiffs allege that these unauthorized recordings were shared with third parties, including advertisers, leading to targeted advertisements based on private discussions.
The settlement, which is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, will create a fund from which eligible class members can claim up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. The class period for the lawsuit spans from September 17, 2014, the launch of the “Hey, Siri” feature, to December 31, 2024. Apple has denied any wrongdoing in the case, although the company agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation.
This legal action comes amid increasing concerns over the privacy practices of voice-activated technologies. Plaintiffs in the case cited specific instances in which they received targeted ads after discussing certain topics, such as Air Jordan sneakers and medical treatments. The lawsuit has drawn attention to the potential risks of virtual assistants, highlighting how these technologies may unintentionally breach users’ privacy and expose sensitive information to third parties.
While the $95 million settlement is a small fraction of Apple’s substantial earnings, it underscores the growing scrutiny on tech giants over their handling of user data. Legal experts suggest that this case, along with similar lawsuits involving other companies like Google, could pave the way for stricter privacy regulations surrounding voice-activated assistants. As the debate over privacy and digital surveillance continues, the outcome of such cases will likely influence future policies and practices within the tech industry.
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