Apple’s Siri Eavesdropping Payout
In a recent development, Apple has agreed to pay out $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit related to alleged Siri eavesdropping. This settlement aims to compensate users affected by privacy breaches when Siri conversations were unintentionally captured and shared with advertisers. The preliminary agreement, filed in December 2024, is awaiting approval from a U.S. district judge.
The legal case stems from concerns raised in 2019 regarding Apple’s handling of Siri recordings. It was reported that contractors were listening to private conversations recorded by Siri, including sensitive topics like medical information and personal discussions. The lawsuit alleges that Apple failed to inform users adequately about the extent of data collection through Siri.
Eligibility for Payout
Individuals who owned an Apple device with Siri capabilities between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, are potentially eligible for compensation once the settlement receives final approval. Users based in the U.S. will be required to confirm under oath that they experienced unintended activations of Siri leading to private conversations being recorded.
If you meet the criteria for eligibility, you may claim up to $20 per device for a maximum of five devices or $100 in total. Additional claims submitted could potentially increase the total payout amount distributed among affected users.
Data Privacy Concerns
While Apple denies any wrongdoing in the case and stresses that data collected through Siri is primarily used for enhancing user experience without linking it directly to individuals, this incident underscores the importance of safeguarding privacy on voice-activated platforms.
To protect your data and limit potential eavesdropping risks linked to voice assistants like Siri, consider implementing privacy measures on your devices:
– On iOS devices (iPhone or iPad), navigate to Settings > Siri > Talk to Siri > Off.
– Disable options such as Press Home for Siri or Press Side Button for Siri if you wish to prevent accidental activations.
– For Mac users concerned about privacy settings related to Siri, access System Preferences > Siri & Spotlight and toggle off Ask Siri.
For those apprehensive about continued use of voice assistants due to privacy implications, disabling these features entirely remains an option. With advancements in artificial intelligence driving innovations like AI-powered assistance from services like Siri, prioritizing user control over data sharing becomes crucial.
As technology continues evolving and integrating AI functionalities into daily interactions, maintaining awareness of data privacy practices becomes essential for ensuring digital security and protecting personal information from unauthorized access or misuse.
