Tech giant Apple Inc. has agreed to pay $95 million (over ₦152 billion) to settle a class-action lawsuit after allegations emerged that its voice assistant, Siri, secretly recorded users’ private conversations and shared them with third parties — reportedly for advertising purposes.
What Happened?
The lawsuit accused Apple of violating users’ privacy by allowing Siri to activate and record conversations without the users’ knowledge or consent. These recordings were allegedly shared with third-party contractors and used to improve ad targeting — a move that sparked outrage and legal action in the United States.
Although Apple denies any wrongdoing, the company has decided to settle the matter with a hefty payout to avoid prolonged litigation.
Who Is Eligible?
The settlement applies to users in the United States who owned and used the following Apple devices between October 2011 and January 2021:
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iPhones
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iPads
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MacBooks
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Apple Watches
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Apple TVs
Users must have enabled Siri during this period to be considered for compensation.
How to Claim Your Share
A settlement date has been set, and eligible users can file a claim through the official settlement website (to be disclosed by the court-appointed claims administrator). Claimants will need to provide proof of device ownership and usage.
Why It Matters
This case has reignited conversations about digital privacy, particularly around AI-powered assistants that constantly listen for activation cues. It also serves as a reminder that even the biggest tech companies can be held accountable for lapses in protecting user data.
If you’re an Apple user in the U.S. and believe you’re eligible, keep an eye on updates regarding the claims process — this could be your chance to claim compensation for a major privacy breach.