If you've always suspected that Siri was listening to you even if you didn't call on her, a new class action lawsuit could give you some peace of mind. Apple has agreed to pay nearly $100 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit over Siri's ability to “listen to, record and share their conversations” without consent.
According to the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit, filed in 2019, the plaintiffs allege that Apple's Siri-enabled devices listened in on conversations due to “accidental activations” and shared the content with advertisers. Examples in the suit include Air Jordan sneakers, Pit Viper sunglasses, and a specific surgical treatment, all of which allegedly resulted in targeted ads on their devices.
The lawsuit covers a decade of devices, from September 2014 to December 2024, and apparently includes iPhones, Apple Watches, and any other device with “Hey Siri” capabilities. As is the case with class action settlements, Apple denied any wrongdoing in agreeing to the terms of the settlement.
The $95 million figure is relatively low, especially since it also includes legal fees, when it would likely exceed $30 million. For example, the class action lawsuit over the iPhone 6 battery issue resulted in a $500 million settlement, resulting in an average payout of $65 per person across 3 million claims.
Regardless, Reuters reports that class members could receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, but that will depend on the terms of the settlement, which were not disclosed.
