Apple Settles $95 Million Class-Action Lawsuit Over Siri Recording Conversations, Denies Wrongdoing

In 2019, Apple faced a significant class-action lawsuit triggered by concerns over the accidental activation of Siri, which allowed contractors to overhear users’ private conversations. To enhance its voice assistant, Apple had employed third-party individuals to analyze its recordings. However, this decision led to serious backlash, and after a protracted five-year legal battle, the case has reached a resolution. As part of the settlement, Apple will pay $95 million, while explicitly denying any wrongdoing associated with the incident.

Settlement Details and Compensation for Affected Users

Millions of class members impacted by this lawsuit are set to receive compensation of $20 for each device that supports Siri. The settlement details were filed in federal court in California on Tuesday night, as reported by Reuters. The proposed agreement still awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. Information on how affected users can claim their compensation is yet to be disclosed, although each affected individual with Siri-compatible devices will receive a modest sum.

While neither the plaintiffs’ nor Apple’s legal teams provided comments on the settlement, it is estimated that lawyers involved in the case will receive an impressive total of $28.5 million in fees, along with $1.1 million allocated for expenses. To put this into perspective, the $95 million settlement amount represents a mere fraction of Apple’s vast financial resources, considering the company reported a staggering profit of $93.74 billion in its most recent fiscal year.

Background of the Allegations

The lawsuit brought attention to troubling claims made by several plaintiffs. For instance, two individuals alleged that after casually discussing products such as Air Jordans and dining at Olive Garden, they began receiving targeted advertisements related to those very discussions. Another plaintiff reported receiving promotional content related to surgical procedures after a private conversation with his healthcare provider.

Apple’s Position on the Settlement

Despite the financial agreement to settle the lawsuit, Apple maintains its position of denying any alleged wrongdoing or liability in the matter. The company asserts that it refutes each of the claims made by the plaintiffs and contends that these allegations failed to meet the qualifications for class action status. Nonetheless, it appears that Apple may have opted for this settlement to mitigate the costs associated with potential future litigation.

How to Claim Settlement Funds

A dedicated settlement website will soon launch to help identify eligible class members who can claim their $20 payment. Individuals may submit claims for up to five devices that utilize Siri, allowing them to potentially receive up to $100 in total compensation.

For further details, you can refer to the original report from Reuters.

Additional information can be found at Wccftech.