Apple Settles $95 Million Lawsuit Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations: What It Means for Users

Apple has reached a $95 million settlement to address a lawsuit that accused the company of using its virtual assistant, Siri, to secretly listen in on users. Filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, the settlement aims to resolve claims that Siri was activated without user consent, recording conversations on iPhones and other Apple devices for over a decade.

The lawsuit asserted that Siri recorded conversations even without the activation phrase "Hey, Siri," and that some of these recordings were shared with advertisers to target consumers more effectively.

Apple Settles $95 Million Lawsuit Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations: What It Means for Users

These allegations contradicted Apple's public commitment to privacy, a principle often highlighted by CEO Tim Cook as a fundamental human right. Although Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing, the settlement awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. A court hearing is set for February 14 in Oakland to discuss the terms.

If the settlement is approved, it will allow millions of iPhone and Apple device users from September 17, 2014, to the end of last year to file claims. Eligible consumers may receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, with compensation limited to five devices per person, though this amount may vary based on the number of claims filed. It is anticipated that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will submit claims.

The $95 million settlement represents a small portion of the $705 billion in profits Apple has generated since September 2014. It is also significantly less than the estimated $1.5 billion in potential damages Apple could have faced if found guilty of violating wiretapping and privacy laws. Lawyers representing the consumers may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund for their fees and expenses.