Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri virtual assistant improperly recorded and shared users’ private conversations without consent. This marks the end of a five-year legal battle in which the tech giant faced accusations of violating user privacy through its flagship voice-activated feature.
The lawsuit centered on claims that Siri routinely recorded conversations even when users had not activated the feature by pressing a button or saying “Hey, Siri.” Plaintiffs alleged that these recordings were sometimes shared with third parties, including advertisers, potentially exposing sensitive personal information without user knowledge or permission.
In response to the allegations, Apple has consistently maintained its commitment to user privacy, denying any intentional misuse of recorded data. However, the company opted to settle the lawsuit to avoid prolonged litigation and further reputational damage. As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $95 million to affected users but has not admitted any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit also highlighted potential flaws in Siri’s functionality, suggesting that the feature could be triggered accidentally by sounds or phrases resembling its activation command. These “false triggers” reportedly led to inadvertent recordings, further fueling concerns about user privacy.
Apple has since introduced several updates to improve Siri’s functionality and enhance user privacy. These include stricter controls over how data is stored and processed, as well as clearer user settings to manage permissions. The company has also implemented an option to delete Siri recordings and stop their use for product improvements.
The settlement underscores the growing scrutiny faced by tech companies over data privacy practices. Voice-activated devices and smart assistants like Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant have revolutionized how people interact with technology, but they also raise questions about how sensitive data is collected, used, and shared.
Consumer advocacy groups see this settlement as a milestone in holding tech companies accountable for safeguarding user data. They argue that it sends a strong message to the industry about the importance of transparency and consent in handling personal information.
This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges targeting big tech firms for alleged privacy violations. As regulatory frameworks around digital privacy continue to evolve, companies like Apple are under increasing pressure to demonstrate compliance and rebuild trust with consumers.
With this settlement, Apple seeks to move past the controversy and reaffirm its commitment to privacy—a core element of its branding. The $95 million payout is expected to provide compensation to affected users while signaling the company’s resolve to prioritize customer trust moving forward.
