Apple agrees to Siri privacy settlement

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million in a proposed class-action settlement over allegations that Siri inadvertently recorded private conversations and allowed third-party contractors to review them. If U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White approves the deal filed in Oakland, CA, affected users could receive up to $20 per Apple device with Siri, including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV.

The lawsuit cites complaints that Siri activated without the “hey Siri” wake phrase and a 2019 report that contractors heard recordings while testing the assistant for quality control. Reported triggers included the sound of a zipper, an Apple Watch being raised in a certain way, and hearing a voice. Users also alleged that private conversations were shared with third-party advertisers, leading to targeted ads tied to sensitive discussions.

Apple said Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles or sold for any purpose, and said it settled to avoid further litigation over third-party grading concerns it addressed in 2019. The covered period runs from Sept. 17, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2024.