In a significant legal development, Apple Inc. has agreed to a settlement of $95 million to resolve a class action lawsuit pertaining to privacy violations associated with its voice-activated assistant, Siri. The lawsuit claimed that Apple’s employees improperly recorded and reviewed private conversations via Siri without user consent, raising serious concerns about user privacy rights. The settlement was confirmed on January 2, 2025, with the agreement awaiting final approval from a California judge.
As part of the settlement, Apple will also implement measures to enhance its privacy practices, ensuring that users are well-informed about how their voice data is collected and used. In a statement, Apple expressed that it is committed to user privacy, stating, “We take privacy seriously and are constantly working to improve our procedures and policies to protect our users.”
The lawsuit, which began in 2020, sought compensation for users whose voice conversations with Siri were allegedly recorded and analyzed without adequate disclosure or consent. The plaintiffs argued that many Apple users were unaware that Siri was always listening and that private conversations could be accessed and recorded.
If approved, the agreement will provide compensation to affected users and could mark a significant shift in how tech companies manage and communicate their data collection practices.
This settlement adds to the scrutiny faced by tech giants regarding privacy issues, as consumer awareness grows in an increasingly data-driven world.
