Apple Settles $95 Million Lawsuit Over Siri Eavesdropping Allegations

In a significant development, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of using its voice-activated assistant, Siri, to secretly record user conversations. This settlement, pending approval from a U.S. district judge, could impact millions of Apple device owners who used their products between September 2014 and December 2022.

The lawsuit, filed in Oakland’s federal court, alleged that Apple recorded conversations without user activation—meaning that some snippets were captured even when users didn’t initiate with the phrase, “Hey, Siri.” In a controversial twist, the lawsuit claimed that Apple then shared these recordings with advertisers to target potential customers more effectively.

This lawsuit represents a considerable challenge for Apple, a company that has built its brand around a strong commitment to user privacy—an effort prominently championed by CEO Tim Cook. While the corporation has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the settlement reflects a pragmatic approach to resolving the five-year legal battle.

If approved, the settlement will allow eligible consumers to file claims. Those who owned Siri-equipped devices during the specified time frame may receive up to $20 per device from the settlement fund, although the final payout could vary depending on the number of claims submitted. Current estimates suggest that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers may seek compensation.

Moreover, attorneys involved in the case intend to claim up to $29.6 million from the settlement to cover legal fees and other related costs. It’s worth noting that this settlement is merely a fraction of the $705 billion Apple has generated in profits since 2014, illustrating the scale of the company’s financial success against the backdrop of the legal settlement.

A court hearing to discuss the settlement terms is proposed for February 14 in Oakland, and further updates will follow as the case progresses.