Apple pays $95 million for spying on Siri users' private conversations
- Apple has reached a $95 million settlement for allegations of Siri eavesdropping.
- Eligible consumers will be able to claim compensation for devices purchased since September 2014.
- The case underscores significant privacy concerns related to virtual assistants and technology companies.
In the United States, a lawsuit was initiated against Apple, claiming that the company violated users' privacy by eavesdropping through its virtual assistant, Siri. The allegations arose after a September 2014 software update that intended to activate the assistant with the phrase 'Hey, Siri,' but instead led to concerns that Siri was listening and recording conversations without users' knowledge. This prompted significant scrutiny regarding Apple's commitment to user privacy, which is a core value for the tech giant. It was also claimed that Apple shared some of the data collected with advertisers, raising ethical concerns about consent and user awareness. In response to the allegations and ongoing litigation, Apple agreed to a proposed settlement of $95 million, which has yet to receive judicial approval. The settlement aims to compensate millions of U.S. consumers who owned Siri-enabled devices from September 17, 2014, through the end of the previous year. While it is uncertain how much each consumer will receive, the settlement currently anticipates payouts of up to $20 per eligible device, subject to potential reductions based on legal fees and the number of claims filed. The lawyers representing the consumers in the case are seeking nearly $30 million in fees, indicating the high stakes involved. The lawsuit emphasized that Apple's actions could have led to much higher damages, estimated as high as $1.5 billion if the court had ruled against the company. This case has prompted discussions and concerns about privacy practices not just for Apple, but also for other tech companies. An ongoing similar lawsuit against Google regarding potential privacy breaches with its Android assistant reflects broader worries about digital privacy in today's technology-first society. Consumers are advised that they can disable Siri to ensure that their voice data is not captured by following several steps in device settings. This situation has raised alarms for many about reliance on digital assistants and whether their privacy might be jeopardized. As technology continues to evolve, maintaining transparency and securing user trust will be ever more crucial for companies like Apple and Google.