Apple to Pay $95 Million to Settle Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Apple Inc. has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve a long-standing lawsuit accusing the tech giant of using its virtual assistant, Siri, to eavesdrop on users without their consent.
The proposed settlement, filed Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, seeks to end a five-year legal battle that raised concerns about privacy violations.

The lawsuit alleged that Apple’s Siri technology, found in iPhones and other devices, surreptitiously recorded users’ conversations over a period spanning more than a decade. These recordings reportedly occurred even when Siri was not intentionally activated by the designated trigger phrase, “Hey, Siri.”

According to the plaintiffs, some of these unauthorized recordings were allegedly shared with advertisers to help them target consumers with personalized ads. The suit claimed that these practices not only breached user privacy but also contradicted Apple’s public image as a company committed to protecting customer data.

Apple has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that its devices are designed with robust privacy protections. While the company has agreed to the settlement, it has not admitted to any violations of privacy laws.

The settlement, if approved by the court, would compensate affected users and reinforce the ongoing debate about the ethical implications of data collection by tech companies. The resolution comes at a time when Apple has been intensifying its focus on privacy features, including updates to its operating systems and marketing campaigns emphasizing its commitment to user confidentiality.

This case highlights the growing scrutiny faced by technology firms over how they handle sensitive consumer information. As virtual assistants and smart devices become more ingrained in daily life, the tech industry is likely to face continued pressure to balance innovation with the protection of user privacy.

Apple has not commented further on the settlement, and details on the distribution of the $95 million to affected users are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.

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