Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement over Siri eavesdropping claims, following a lawsuit filed in 2019 that alleged Siri could be activated without consent and record conversations, which were then provided to third parties.
The settlement, submitted in a federal court in Oakland, awaits approval by a U.S. district judge.
The big picture: The lawsuit contradicted Apple’s emphasis on customer privacy and CEO Tim Cook’s advocacy for customer rights.
- Under the proposed settlement, individuals with Apple devices featuring Siri between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible for payments. Claimants can submit claims for up to five devices in which Siri allegedly activated unintentionally during private conversations.
- Payments are capped at $20 per device, with an estimated 3-5% of eligible consumers expected to file claims.
Go deeper: The settlement covers various Apple devices with Siri, such as iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod Touch devices, or Apple TVs used within the specified timeframe.
- Claimants need to confirm ownership or purchase of the devices in the U.S. or its territories, unintended Siri activation during private conversations, and consent issues.
- The settlement, once approved, will establish a process for individuals to submit their claims, potentially through mailed postcards or online submissions.
- Apple is required to create a webpage detailing its “Improve Siri” program as part of the settlement’s terms.
What we’re watching: A court hearing scheduled for February 14 will review and potentially finalize the terms of the settlement.
