Apple has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit for $95 million. The lawsuit alleged that Apple’s Siri voice assistant recorded conversations without users’ consent. While Apple denies these accusations, the company chose to settle to avoid prolonged litigation.
The Allegations and Settlement Details
The class action lawsuit claimed that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, recorded users’ private conversations without consent. The recordings were allegedly shared with advertisers to enhance ad targeting. The lead plaintiff, Fumiko Lopez, argued that Apple recorded conversations between her and her daughter. However, Apple denies any wrongdoing. The company stated that no conversations were recorded unlawfully and assured users that all Siri audio recordings made before October 2019 had been deleted.
Despite its denials, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle the case. Affected users, who owned Siri-enabled devices between 2014 and 2019, could receive up to $20 per device. The settlement is designed to compensate users who were impacted by the alleged unauthorized recordings.
Class Action Lawsuit and Settlement Impact
The lawsuit, filed in Northern California, is expected to be decided by February 14, 2025. If the settlement is approved, the affected users will be compensated. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are set to receive approximately 30% of the settlement amount, plus expenses, which could total up to $30 million.
This settlement follows a series of similar legal challenges for Apple. In January 2024, the company settled a case for $500 million related to allegations of slowing down older iPhones. In March 2024, Apple also paid $490 million to settle a lawsuit in the UK. Furthermore, in November 2024, the consumer group Which? accused Apple of overcharging for iCloud services.
Apple’s Ongoing Legal Troubles
Apple’s decision to settle this lawsuit highlights the growing legal challenges related to user privacy and consumer protection. The company has faced scrutiny over similar allegations in the past. Another lawsuit, accusing Google of recording users without consent, is also ongoing.
For those interested in making the most of their Siri-enabled devices, the Apple HomePod Mini is a smart speaker that seamlessly integrates with Siri, providing hands-free control and easy access to all the voice assistant’s features. Whether you’re setting reminders, controlling smart home devices, or listening to music, the HomePod Mini offers a compact and powerful solution.