Tech behemoth Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its virtual assistant Siri eavesdropped on people via their iPhones and other devices.
The suit, which has been ongoing for five years, alleges that users were recorded even when they did not activate Siri with the official command line, “Hey, Siri.” These surreptitious recordings were shared with advertisers who use the data to refine how they target consumer products.
The allegations contradict Apple’s commitment to protecting its customers’ privacy. CEO Tim Cook even likened the fight to safeguard privacy to “a fundamental human right,” reported The Associated Press.
The settlement still requires approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Lawyers involved in the case have proposed February 14 as a potential date for a hearing in Oakland to assess the terms.
If the settlement is approved, consumers who owned iPhones and other Apple devices from September 17, 2024, through to the end of 2024 could be eligible to file claims. Tens of millions of consumers could receive up to $20 for every device they own that has been covered in the settlement, up to a maximum of five devices per claimant. The final number will depend in part on how many consumers file, with only 3% to 5% of eligible claimants expected to take action, according to estimates in court documents.
Late last year, The Dallas Express reported that Apple is tracking to become the first company to reach a $4 trillion market capitalization. The upward trajectory has been driven by the company’s recent artificial intelligence advancements, released in the iOS 18.2 update, and a resurgence in iPhone sales.
If approved, the $95 million settlement would represent just 0.1% of Apple’s $705 billion profit since 2014. In 2024, the company’s shares appreciated more than 31%.