Siri allegedly snooped on conversations for more than a decade
Tens of millions ofiPhone owners are expected to get cash if Apple's $95 million settlementon Siri eavesdropping allegations is approved.
For Apple devices owned from Sept. 17, 2014 to the end of 2024, owners could claim $20 per Siri-equipped device forup to five devices, according to a proposed settlement filed in an Oakland, California court on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported.
But only 3% to 5% of eligible owners are expected to file claims, according to court documents.
Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle allegations that its Siri virtual asssistant snoopedon conversation without permission for more than a decade and sharedinformation with advertisers, but admitted no wrongdoing in the proposed settlement.
Lawyers have proposed a Feb. 14 court date to review the settlement terms.
The attorneys who filed the lawsuit may seek up to $29.6 million from the settlement to cover their fees and other expenses.
What caused the Siri lawsuit?
The proposed settlement would cap a five-year oldclass action lawsuit filed against Apple in the wake ofa2019 investigation by The Guardian.
The Guardian's investigation, citing an anonymous whistleblower, alleged that Apple contractors regularly heard confidential details on Siri recordings.
The alleged eavesdroppingstemmed fromSiri mistakenly activating from different words than "hey, Siri," The Guardian reported.
Later, Apple gave a rare apology.
"As a result of our review, we realize we haven't been fully living up to our high ideals, and for that we apologize," Apple said in 2019.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2025-01-03 00:04:21
