Have you ever wondered whether your devices are listening to your conversations? Do you sometimes get pop-up ads shortly after having a conversation with someone about a certain product that appears in the pop-up ad? The pop-up is probably the result of algorithms or a prior search that you have done online. But it is also possible that your devices are eavesdropping. 

In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Apple alleging that Apple’s virtual assistant Siri was eavesdropping and recording conversation when it was unintentionally activated. The recordings were allegedly reviewed by Apple contractors for quality control purposes and, in some cases, shared with advertisers. 

Apple denied any wrongdoing but elected to settle the lawsuit for $95 million to avoid prolonged litigation. In response to the lawsuit and privacy concerns, an Apple spokesperson shared the following statement with ZDNET:

“Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning. Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019.”

The settlement, which awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, includes:

• Compensation: Eligible U.S. consumers who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may receive up to $20 per device, with a maximum of five devices per individual. The exact amount will depend on the number of claims submitted.
• Legal Fees: Up to $29.6 million from the settlement fund may be allocated for attorneys’ fees and expenses.

This settlement emphasizes the importance of user privacy in the digital age. It serves as a reminder for users to regularly review and adjust their device settings to ensure their privacy preferences are respected. This is especially true for lawyers who are dealing with confidential client communications. And it highlights the ongoing challenges tech companies face in balancing technological advancement with user privacy. As digital assistants become more integrated into daily life, ensuring they operate transparently and with user consent remains crucial.