Apple has finally agreed to settle the Siri eavesdropping case, with affected users potentially receiving up to $20 per device, for a total settlement amount of as much as $95 million. The claim link is not available yet, but it should be released in about a month or so. I’ll share an update when it goes live.
On December 13, 2024, a preliminary settlement agreement filed in Oakland, California, was approved and is now set to move forward for further review. The lawsuit accuses Apple of violating user privacy, alleging that when Siri was accidentally activated, Apple recorded users’ private conversations and shared that information with advertisers. Back in 2019, The Guardian reported that Apple hired contractors to listen to Siri recordings, which reportedly included medical appointments, private relationships, and drug deals.
Although Apple had previously said that Siri recordings might be reviewed, it did not clearly disclose that this process involved human review. The lawsuit further alleges that Apple failed to inform users that their conversations were frequently recorded without consent. Here are a few key points from the case:
- Each affected user may receive up to $20 in compensation.
- The lawsuit focuses on accidental Siri activations and the recording of private conversations.
- Users reportedly saw a noticeable increase in ad targeting after mentioning products or topics related to advertising.
In the latest eavesdropping allegations, two plaintiffs said that after mentioning Air Jordan shoes, they began receiving ads for that product. In addition, another plaintiff said that after discussing a specific surgical procedure with a doctor, they received medical ads. In short, Apple’s Siri eavesdropping controversy has not only raised public concern about privacy, but also pushed broader discussion about stronger protections for user data across the industry. If you may have been affected, it’s worth keeping an eye on this case to see whether you qualify to file a claim.
