Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve a lawsuit accusing the company of secretly using its virtual assistant, Siri, to record conversations without users’ consent.
The lawsuit, filed in Oakland, California, claimed that Apple recorded conversations on iPhones and other Siri-enabled devices for over ten years, even when users hadn’t activated Siri with the phrase “Hey, Siri.” These recordings were reportedly shared with advertisers to target consumers with tailored ads.
The settlement, which still needs approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, could bring an end to the five-year-old case. Lawyers have proposed a court hearing on February 14, 2025, to review the terms. If approved, millions of consumers who owned Apple devices between September 17, 2014, and December 2024 may be eligible to file claims.
This lawsuit represents a potential setback for Apple, a company that has marketed itself as a strong advocate for user privacy, with CEO Tim Cook framing privacy as a “fundamental human right.” However, Apple has not admitted to any wrongdoing or the allegations of eavesdropping as part of the settlement.
