In a significant legal development, Apple has agreed to pay $US95 million ($152.9 million) to settle a lawsuit that accuses the company, known for its privacy-oriented approach, of using its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on users of its iPhones and other devices. This proposed settlement, submitted on Tuesday in a federal court in Oakland, California, seeks to resolve a lawsuit that has been ongoing for five years, centered around allegations that Apple secretly activated Siri to record conversations on iPhones and other devices featuring the virtual assistant for over a decade.
The accusations suggest that these recordings took place even when users did not invoke the assistant with the trigger phrase, “Hey, Siri.”
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The lawsuit also claims that some recorded conversations were shared with advertisers in an effort to market products to consumers who might be interested, raising serious questions about privacy and consent.
The allegations regarding Siri’s invasive capabilities sharply contrast with Apple’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding its customers’ privacy, a principle often championed by CEO Tim Cook as a fundamental human right.
While the settlement is being proposed, Apple denies any wrongdoing. The deal awaits approval from US District Judge Jeffrey White, with attorneys suggesting a court hearing is scheduled for February 14 in Oakland to discuss the settlement terms.
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If approved, the settlement could allow tens of millions of consumers who owned iPhones and other Apple devices from September 17, 2014, to the end of last year to file claims. Each eligible consumer might receive up to $US20 ($32) for each Siri-enabled device they owned, although the actual payment could vary based on the total number of claims filed.
Estimates indicate that only 3 to 5 percent of eligible consumers are likely to submit claims, as outlined in court documents. Additionally, eligible consumers can claim compensation for a maximum of five devices.
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This settlement is a small fraction of the $US705 billion ($1 trillion) in profits Apple has amassed since September 2014. It is also a minor portion of the approximately $US1.5 billion ($2.4 billion) that lawyers representing consumers estimated Apple might have been required to pay had the case proceeded to trial for violations of wiretapping and privacy laws.
The attorneys involved in the lawsuit could seek up to $US29.6 million ($47.6 million) from the settlement fund to cover their fees and expenses, as per court documents.
