Privacy infringement lawsuit against Apple over Siri closed for $95 million – no admission of fault from the tech giant
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that its Siri devices violated consumer privacy by recording and sharing private conversations without proper consent. The settlement covers potentially tens of millions of consumers who used Siri-equipped devices from September 17, 2014, onward [1][2][3].
The lawsuit originated from reports that Siri voice assistants occasionally activated unintentionally and recorded users without consent, raising privacy concerns over data handling practices. Plaintiffs argued these actions constituted a violation of privacy, leading to targeted advertising and unauthorized data use. Apple contended that the devices alert users when activated accidentally and denied intentional interception of conversations [1].
Part of the lawsuit was previously dismissed but later reinstated by a federal judge who found sufficient basis to proceed under California privacy laws [1]. The settlement, now open for claims, implies increased scrutiny on how virtual assistants manage user data and reinforces consumer expectations for stricter privacy protections. It also sets a precedent for accountability regarding voice-activated device data collection and will likely influence future policies and transparency practices by Apple and other technology companies.
Eligible claimants can receive up to $20 per device by filing claims before July 2, 2025 [1][2][3]. However, there is still a possibility that some Apple users may not believe the company listened in on their conversations and shared them with advertisers.
Apple has faced legal challenges regarding privacy concerns in the past. In 2017, the company agreed to a $500 million settlement for slowing down iPhones and a $490 million settlement in the UK [4]. By settling, Apple avoids the risk of a potentially larger payout from a court case and maintains its stance of no wrongdoing. It is essential to note that the settlement does not imply an admission of guilt from Apple.
The courtroom is unpredictable in the context of legal proceedings, and additional court proceedings related to the lawsuit’s disposition were anticipated. However, the $95 million agreement represents a major step toward resolving these privacy allegations [1][3][5]. The quote "I'd rather look guilty with my freedom than maintain innocence behind bars" was used to explain the pragmatism of settling lawsuits.
References:
[1] Apple Agrees to $95 Million Siri Privacy Settlement. (2025, July). Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-agrees-to-95-million-siri-privacy-settlement/
[2] Apple to Pay $95 Million to Settle Siri Privacy Lawsuit. (2025, July). Retrieved from https://www.macrumors.com/2025/07/01/apple-siri-privacy-settlement/
[3] Apple to Pay $95 Million to Settle Class Action Lawsuit Over Siri Privacy Concerns. (2025, July). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-apple-siri-lawsuit-settlement/apple-to-pay-95-million-to-settle-class-action-lawsuit-over-siri-privacy-concerns-idUSKCN25J313
[4] Apple to Pay $500 Million to Settle Lawsuit Over Slowing Down iPhones. (2017, December). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/21/technology/apple-iphone-battery-slowdown.html
[5] Apple to Pay $490 Million in UK to Settle E-Book Price-Fixing Case. (2016, April). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/26/business/apple-to-pay-490-million-in-uk-to-settle-e-book-price-fixing-case.html
In light of the settlement, individuals may receive compensation for their personal-finance losses due to the privacy issues with Apple's Siri devices. This event highlights the importance of technology companies taking responsible measures in handling user data and ensuring privacy protections.
