Apple Proposes Settlement in Siri Invasion of Privacy Case
Without admitting any wrongdoing, Apple has agreed to pay US$95 million to settle a claim that its voice assistant technology, Siri, violated the Federal Wiretap Act and the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The case arises from an allegation that Siri was activated accidentally without a consumer knowing (and consenting), and recorded private conversations that were later used for targeted ads.
Besides the monetary compensation, Apple will also be required to disgorge itself of all Siri recordings collected without consent and provide additional clarity to consumers on how Siri manages consumer information.
The case highlights the need to rigorously check technology for hidden, unanticipated use and/or accidental activation, and the potential impact on consumer privacy.
Apple has agreed to pay US$95 million to settle a class action lawsuit in the U.S. alleging that its Siri assistant recorded private conversations and shared them with third parties.
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The proposed lawsuit alleges that the audio data was disclosed without users’ consent to a network of third-party marketers and advertisers.
Users complained of being targeted on their Apple devices with advertisements for products concerning sensitive and very specific matters discussed in private conversations, when Siri had been activated by accident.
The case, submitted by Fumiko Lopez, John Troy Pappas, and David Yacubian, on behalf of others similarly situated, accuses Apple of violations of the federal Wiretap Act and California’s Invasion of Privacy Act.
