By We’ve all had moments of doubt, wondering if the voice assistants meant to make our lives easier could actually be eavesdropping on our conversations. These concerns have only grown as privacy violations tied to these devices continue to make headlines. Now, Apple is addressing such worries in a significant way by agreeing to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of serious privacy breaches involving its Siri voice assistant.
The Lawsuit’s Allegations
The legal battle began in 2019 when Apple was accused of recording private conversations without users’ consent whenever the ‘Hey Siri’ feature was unintentionally activated. Reports from Engadget reveal that not only did Apple record these conversations, but the company allegedly shared these recordings with third-party advertisers, using the data to fuel targeted advertising based on users’ private discussions. This legal issue stands in stark contrast to Apple’s reputation for valuing user privacy, which CEO Tim Cook has long touted as “a fundamental human right.”
Proposed Settlement Details
According to reports, the proposed settlement is now under review by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White and still requires final approval. The proposal, filed in Oakland, California, outlines that eligible class members—likely to include millions of consumers—could receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they owned between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
The settlement’s amount per person could vary depending on the total number of claims filed, but it’s estimated that only about 3-5% of eligible consumers will file a claim. This means that if you owned multiple devices within the eligible timeframe, you could be entitled to compensation for up to five devices per person.
Why This Settlement Matters
This case sheds light on the privacy challenges faced by voice assistant technology, and it demonstrates how tech companies are being held accountable for their data practices. While Apple’s settlement may offer compensation to some consumers, it also serves as a reminder to users of the importance of understanding the data that their devices collect.
As privacy concerns continue to rise, the outcome of this lawsuit could influence future policy changes for tech companies, especially when it comes to managing and protecting user data.
Stay tuned for more updates as the settlement progresses through the court system, and make sure to check if you’re eligible for compensation!
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