Apple to pay millions over Siri privacy breach

The $95 million payout is minimal for Apple, representing less than a day's profit from its $93.74 billion earnings

Apple has reached a $95 million settlement to resolve allegations of privacy violations linked to its Siri voice assistant. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California under case number 19-04577, accused Siri of unintentionally recording users' private conversations and sharing data with advertisers without consent. The settlement awaits approval from the U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California.

The plaintiffs claimed Siri often activated without the "Hey, Siri" wake command, inadvertently capturing sensitive conversations. Some users reported receiving targeted advertisements for products they had discussed in private, raising concerns about data misuse. Apple has denied any wrongdoing but opted for the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.

Under the agreement, individuals who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible to receive up to $20 per device. With tens of millions of potentially affected users, the settlement includes provisions for $28.5 million in legal fees and $1.1 million for expenses.

The $95 million payout is negligible compared to Apple's financial scale, representing less than a day's profit for the company, which recorded $93.74 billion in earnings last year. This case underscores growing concerns about privacy practices among tech giants.

In a related development, Google is also facing a lawsuit over similar allegations involving its Voice Assistant. Both cases highlight increasing scrutiny of how tech companies handle user data and privacy.

The settlement not only resolves this legal battle but also draws attention to broader industry practices. As users grow more aware of privacy risks, regulators and courts are expected to demand greater accountability from technology companies managing sensitive data.