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Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement over claims that its Siri assistant recorded private conversations without user consent and shared them with third parties. The settlement resolves allegations that Siri’s voice activation feature often triggered unintentionally, capturing conversations users believed were private.
Plaintiffs claimed that these recordings led to targeted ads for products and services they had discussed. As part of the settlement, Apple will delete old recordings collected before October 2019 and improve transparency around its data-sharing practices. Customers who used Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2024 can claim up to $20 per device for up to five devices, provided they confirm under oath that Siri recorded their private conversations.
This settlement underscores the need for stronger privacy safeguards in voice-activated technologies. Companies must design products that prioritize user trust and control over data collection. For consumers, it’s a reminder to review device settings and limit features like always-on voice activation.
Privacy should not be the price of convenience, and this case serves as a wake-up call for both users and tech companies to take data protection seriously.
