Apple’s $95 Million Siri Settlement: What It Means for Users and How to Protect Your Privacy

Apple users may soon be eligible for a cash payout after the company agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit over alleged Siri eavesdropping. The preliminary settlement, filed on December 13, 2024, in Oakland, California, awaits approval from a U.S. district judge, according to Reuters.

The lawsuit accuses Apple of violating privacy laws by recording Siri conversations when the voice assistant was accidentally triggered and allegedly sharing the data with advertisers. The controversy dates back to 2019 when The Guardian reported that Apple contractors listened to Siri recordings, including sensitive conversations such as medical appointments, private discussions, and even drug deals.

Apple faced backlash because, while it disclosed that Siri recordings might be reviewed, it did not clearly inform users that human contractors were involved. The lawsuit further alleges that users were being recorded without their explicit consent.

Allegations and Claims

In the latest case, plaintiffs claimed Siri’s recordings led to targeted advertisements. For instance, one plaintiff alleged that mentioning Air Jordan shoes resulted in related ads on their iPhone. Another said medical advertisements appeared after discussing a surgical treatment with their doctor.

Despite these allegations, Apple has denied any wrongdoing. The company stated it collects Siri data solely to improve the service, ensuring the data is anonymized and not linked to specific users. Apple emphasized in its filing that it is settling to avoid costly litigation, noting potential damages of up to $1.5 billion if the case went to trial and was lost.

Privacy Concerns: Should You Disable Siri?

Apple maintains it has not shared Siri recordings with advertisers. Following the 2019 backlash, the company implemented changes, such as making Siri data collection opt-in only and providing more robust privacy settings.

If you’re still concerned about potential privacy risks, disabling Siri is an option:

• On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Siri & Search > Toggle off Listen for “Hey Siri” and Press Home/Side Button for Siri.
• On Mac: Click the Apple logo > System Settings > Siri & Spotlight > Toggle off Ask Siri.

While Siri’s convenience is undeniable, some users may prefer to turn off the assistant entirely to eliminate privacy concerns.

Broader Implications

The Siri settlement is one of several recent lawsuits targeting voice assistants. The same law firm is pursuing a similar case against Google. These lawsuits highlight growing concerns about how tech companies handle voice data and user privacy.

Apple has not admitted any liability in this case but will likely face continued scrutiny over its privacy practices. For now, the $95 million settlement serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant about how their devices handle sensitive information.