Users accuse Siri of "eavesdropping" Apple settles for $95 million, up to $20 per device

According to CCTV Finance, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million (about Rmb696 million) to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant Siri violated users' privacy. The lawsuit was filed by a group of users who claimed that Siri on Apple's devices, such as iPhones, would transmit private conversations to Apple without their knowledge when accidentally activated. For example, some users were startled when the Siri indicator light turned on while they were talking privately at home, fearing that their private conversations were being recorded and uploaded. Some plaintiffs claimed that they received targeted ads related to the restaurants or clothing brands they mentioned in their conversations. The conversations were obtained and shared with third parties, such as advertisers, without the users' consent. Apple initially insisted that Siri's activation had strict technical determinations and would only start the workflow when detecting specific wake-up words, denying any "eavesdropping" behavior. However, as technology experts delved deeper into the issue and more users provided evidence, Apple faced mounting public pressure. Ultimately, Apple chose to settle the matter with a hefty sum to avoid further reputational damage and potentially higher legal compensation. Each plaintiff can apply for compensation for up to five Siri-enabled devices, with a maximum of $20 per device.