California: Apple has agreed to a 95-Million-Dollar settlement to resolve a lawsuit accusing the company of using its virtual assistant Siri to eavesdrop on users without their consent. The settlement, submitted on Tuesday in a federal court in Oakland, California, brings an end to a five-year-old legal battle over claims that Siri was activated without user input, recording conversations on iPhones and other Apple devices.

Claims of Unauthorized Recordings

The lawsuit alleged that Apple’s Siri activated unintentionally, even without the trigger phrase "Hey, Siri," and recorded private conversations. These recordings were reportedly shared with advertisers to target users with personalized ads. This practice allegedly contradicted Apple’s longstanding commitment to user privacy, which CEO Tim Cook has frequently described as a "fundamental human right."

Settlement Details and Consumer Compensation

Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, the proposed settlement still requires approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White. A court hearing is scheduled for February 14 in Oakland to finalize the agreement.  If approved, the settlement would allow consumers who owned Siri-enabled Apple devices between September 17, 2014, and the end of 2023 to file claims. Eligible users could receive up to USD 20 per device, with a cap of five devices per person. However, the final payout amount could vary based on the number of claims submitted. Legal estimates suggest only 3% to 5% of eligible users are likely to participate.

Legal Costs and Broader Context

The settlement amount represents a small fraction of Apple’s earnings, as the company has generated USD 705 billion in profits since 2014. It is also considerably less than the USD 1.5 billion potential liability estimated if Apple had been found guilty of violating privacy laws in court. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs may request up to USD 29.6 million from the settlement fund to cover legal fees and related expenses.

This settlement shows the ongoing tension between tech companies’ innovation and their responsibility to safeguard user privacy. While Apple maintains its stance as a leader in protecting user data, the lawsuit and its resolution highlight the importance of transparency in tech practices.