In brief
Apple has agreed to a substantial $95 million settlement following allegations that its virtual assistant, Siri, was recording conversations without users’ consent. The lawsuit accused Apple of eavesdropping on customers and sharing recordings with advertisers, leading to targeted advertisements based on personal conversations. Despite the settlement, Apple maintains it did not engage in any wrongdoing. According to court documents, claimants could receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device owned between 2014 and 2019, as the company aims to prevent a larger payout by settling the case.
In this class action lawsuit, lead plaintiff Fumiko Lopez asserts that she and her daughter were recorded without permission, experiencing targeted advertising after discussing products. Apple has proposed a court decision date for the preliminary settlement to be on February 14 in Northern California. This case adds to Apple's list of recent class action litigations, including a $500 million settlement over claims of intentionally slowing down iPhones. The resolution of this lawsuit highlights the ongoing scrutiny tech companies face over user privacy and data handling practices.
