Apple to Pay $95M Settlement Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations: What You Need to Know
Under the settlement agreement, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve the claims without admitting any wrongdoing. This settlement allows Apple to avoid a potentially costly trial, which could have led to damages as high as $1.5 billion. By opting to settle, Apple not only sidesteps prolonged legal scrutiny but also signals its commitment to addressing privacy concerns and restoring consumer trust. This resolution not only brings the litigation to an end but also highlights the increasing significance of protecting user data and ensuring transparency in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The Allegations Against Apple
The lawsuit stemmed from a 2019 report by The Guardian, where a whistleblower claimed that Apple contractors overheard private user conversations while performing quality assurance tests on Siri. These recordings reportedly included:
- Discussions about sensitive medical information.
- Private conversations inadvertently captured due to Siri’s unintended activations triggered by normal sounds like a zipper noise.
Plaintiffs accused Apple of:
- Recording private conversations without users saying the wake phrase “Hey, Siri.”
- Sharing these recordings with advertisers, allegedly leading to targeted ads based on private conversations.
Examples included:
- Ads for Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden after private mentions.
- Ads for a specific surgical treatment after private discussions with a doctor.
One particularly concerning incident involved Siri recording a minor without an Apple account, raising questions about consent.
Apple’s Response
Apple denied the allegations but issued a formal apology after The Guardian’s revelations. In a 2018 letter to the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Apple stated:
- Only a “small portion” of Siri requests were graded for quality assurance, and these were not linked to Apple IDs.
- Siri responds solely to the “Hey, Siri” wake phrase and provides a visual indicator when listening.
Following the controversy, Apple made significant changes:
- Users can now opt out of data collection for analytics.
- Audio recordings of Siri interactions are no longer retained by default.
- Access to audio samples is restricted to Apple employees.
- Recordings captured by unintended Siri activations are deleted.
Settlement Details
Under the settlement agreement, Apple will pay $95 million to resolve the claims without admitting any wrongdoing. The settlement enables Apple to sidestep a potentially expensive trial, which could have resulted in damages as high as $1.5 billion. By choosing to settle, Apple avoids further legal scrutiny while signaling its willingness to address privacy concerns and improve consumer trust. This outcome not only resolves ongoing litigation but also underscores the growing importance of safeguarding user data in today’s digital age.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
To qualify for the payout:
- Claimants must be based in the US.
- They must have owned a Siri-enabled device between 2014 and 2019.
- They must attest under oath that Siri unintentionally activated and recorded private conversations.
Claimants can file their claims through a website expected to launch within 45 days. The deadline to file is May 15, 2025.
Distribution of Settlement Funds
Of the $95 million settlement:
- Claimants will receive payments starting at $20 each.
- Lawyers representing the case may claim up to $30 million in legal fees and $1.1 million for expenses.
Protecting Your Privacy: How to Disable Siri
If the settlement raises concerns about Siri’s privacy implications, you can disable the virtual assistant on your devices:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Go to Settings > Siri & Search.
- Toggle off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri’” and “Press Home/Side Button for Siri.”
On Mac:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner.
- Navigate to System Settings > Siri & Spotlight.
- Toggle off “Ask Siri.”
What’s Next?
The settlement awaits final approval from Judge Jeffrey White of the US District Court for the Northern District of California. Apple has proposed a decision date of February 14, 2025. Stay tuned for updates, and if you’re eligible, don’t miss your chance to claim compensation for Siri’s unintended recordings.
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