In a significant privacy-related development, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of secretly recording conversations through its virtual assistant Siri. The lawsuit, which dates back to August 2019, claims that Siri recorded user conversations without consent, raising serious privacy concerns. While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, the settlement highlights growing fears about privacy in the era of smart devices.
If you’re concerned about Siri potentially eavesdropping on your conversations, here’s how you can disable Siri on your iPhone.
How to Disable Siri on Your iPhone
Disabling Siri is straightforward and can help reduce the risk of unauthorized recording:
- Navigate to Settings → Siri & Search.
- Toggle off Listen for ‘Hey Siri’ and Press Side Button for Siri.
- When the pop-up window appears, tap Turn Off Siri.
Additionally, you can disable individual apps’ access to your microphone:
- Go to Settings, select the app, and toggle off Microphone.
The Lawsuit: Allegations and Settlement
The lawsuit was filed by The Wood Law Firm shortly after a Guardian report alleged that Siri was recording conversations without the user’s knowledge. According to the complaint, Siri’s microphone was active even when the trigger phrase “Hey Siri” wasn’t used.
While Apple issued a 2014 software update intended to prevent Siri from listening unless explicitly prompted, the lawsuit alleges that the virtual assistant continued to record conversations to improve Apple’s AI technology. The complaint further claims that Apple shared some of the recorded conversations with advertisers, sparking outrage among privacy advocates.
Settlement Terms and Payout
The proposed $95 million settlement will cover tens of millions of U.S. consumers who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 2023. Eligible consumers can expect to receive up to $20 per device, depending on the number of claims filed and legal fees deducted from the settlement fund.
Currently, lawyers are seeking $30 million in legal fees, though this figure may be reduced by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White, who is overseeing the case. A court hearing to review the settlement terms is scheduled for February 14, 2025.
Did Apple Violate Privacy Laws?
If the allegations are accurate, Apple may have breached federal wiretapping laws and other privacy statutes. Despite denying any misconduct, Apple likely opted for a settlement to avoid prolonged litigation and potential negative publicity. Notably, privacy is one of Apple’s core values, often framed as a “fundamental human right” by the company.
While $95 million might seem like a large sum, it’s a negligible expense for Apple, whose profits since 2014 have exceeded $700 billion, boosting its market valuation to around $3.7 trillion.
Should You Worry About Other Devices Spying on You?
Yes, concerns about unauthorized recordings aren’t limited to Siri. A similar case against Google Assistant is currently ongoing in a federal court in San Jose, California. With smart devices becoming increasingly integral to daily life, privacy advocates warn that unauthorized data collection remains a serious risk.