Apple hit with $95m fine over Siri privacy breach
Apple agreed to pay a $95 million fine as part of a settlement after a class-action lawsuit alleged that the voice-activated assistant Siri violates users' privacy. It was reported that Apple employees were eavesdropping on iPhone users.
Apple will pay a $95 million fine as part of the settlement, reports Reuters. The agency noted that, at the end of 2024, a preliminary settlement application was filed in federal court in Oakland, California. This application still requires approval from a district judge.
Apple agrees to a settlement, will pay a $95 million fine
The issue concerns mobile device owners who complained that Apple recorded their private conversations after activating the voice assistant Siri. The contents of these conversations were then allegedly disclosed, for example to advertisers. This disclosure resulted in suspicious suggestions regarding products and services.
"Two plaintiffs said their mentions of Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden restaurants triggered ads for those products. Another said he got ads for a brand name surgical treatment after discussing it, he thought privately, with his doctor," reported Reuters.
Apple denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement. Neither the company nor its lawyers responded to Reuters' request for comment on the matter.
The agency notes that $95 million is equivalent to about nine hours of Apple's operating profit. The tech giant's net income exceeded $93 billion in the last fiscal year.
