In 2019, a wave of concern and controversy engulfed Apple when it was revealed that its voice assistant, Siri, was being inadvertently activated, allowing third-party contractors to listen in on users’ private conversations. This was part of Apple’s initiative to enhance Siri’s capabilities by hiring external evaluators to review the voice assistant’s recordings. Unfortunately, this strategy backfired spectacularly, leading to a class-action lawsuit that has taken five years to reach its conclusion.
As a result of the lawsuit, Apple has agreed to a monumental $95 million settlement, although the tech giant has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing throughout the proceedings. This settlement will be distributed among millions of affected class members, who are expected to receive $20 for each Siri-enabled device they own. However, legal representatives are reportedly set to receive a substantial portion of the settlement, amounting to $28.5 million in legal fees and $1.1 million for additional expenses.
The settlement was presented in California federal court, awaiting approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. The mechanics of how users will claim their entitled compensation remain unclear, although it’s noted that each Siri user might receive a mere $20 per eligible device. This minor payout reflects a fraction of the colossal $95 million deal, which translates to just a few hours of earnings for Apple, considering its recent profit figures of $93.74 billion in a fiscal year.
Throughout the legal battle, some plaintiffs cited eerily targeted advertisements as a consequence of their private discussions. For example, one user reported receiving ads for Air Jordan and Olive Garden shortly after mentioning these brands aloud, and another noted similar ads for a medical treatment following a private doctor appointment.
Despite opting for the settlement, Apple maintains its stance of innocence, continuing to deny any allegations of misconduct. The company’s decision to settle seems primarily aimed at avoiding prolonged litigation costs. Soon, a dedicated website will be launched where eligible users can claim their rightful compensation, with provisions allowing claims for up to five Siri devices, potentially totaling $100 for each class member.
