Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging that its Siri voice assistant violated users’ privacy by recording private conversations without their explicit consent. A preliminary settlement was filed Tuesday night in a federal court in Oakland, California, and is pending approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
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The lawsuit, brought by mobile device owners, claimed that Siri was routinely activated unintentionally, leading to the recording of private conversations. The plaintiffs further alleged that these recorded conversations were then shared with third parties, including advertisers, who used the data to target users with tailored advertisements based on their overheard conversations.
The Allegations:
The core of the lawsuit revolved around the way Siri is activated. Voice assistants like Siri use “hot words,” such as “Hey Siri,” to trigger the recording function. The lawsuit argued that these hot words were sometimes unintentionally triggered, leading to the recording of conversations that users did not intend to be captured. The plaintiffs claimed that Apple then shared these recordings with third-party contractors for “quality control” purposes and that this data was potentially used for targeted advertising.
Terms of the Settlement:
The $95 million settlement, if approved by the court, will be distributed among eligible class members, which include individuals who owned Apple devices and used Siri during a specific period. The exact distribution method and amount each individual receives will be determined by the court.
Apple’s Response:
While agreeing to the settlement, Apple has not admitted any wrongdoing. The company has maintained that its practices are designed to protect user privacy. However, the settlement suggests that Apple is willing to avoid a potentially lengthy and costly legal battle.
Implications for Privacy and Voice Assistants:
This case highlights growing concerns about the privacy implications of voice assistants and other always-listening technologies. The lawsuit raises important questions about data collection, storage, and sharing practices of tech companies. It also underscores the importance of user awareness and control over these technologies.
Next Steps:
The preliminary settlement is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. If approved, the court will then oversee the process of notifying class members and distributing the settlement funds.
This settlement serves as a reminder of the increasing scrutiny surrounding data privacy practices in the tech industry and the potential consequences for companies that fail to adequately protect user information. It also emphasizes the importance of clear communication and user control over data collection by voice assistants and similar technologies.