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Apple Reaffirms Siri Privacy After $95 Million Settlement

 



Jan 8 (CapIns/Reuters) – Apple (AAPL.O) has clarified its commitment to user privacy, asserting that data from its Siri voice assistant has never been sold or used for marketing profiles. This statement comes just days after the tech giant agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging privacy violations.

The lawsuit accused Apple of routinely recording private conversations triggered by unintentional activations of Siri and sharing them with third parties, including advertisers. While Apple denied the allegations and did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, the agreement could result in tens of millions of Apple customers receiving up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, such as iPhones and Apple Watches.

“Apple has never used Siri data to build marketing profiles, never made it available for advertising, and never sold it to anyone for any purpose,” the company reiterated on Wednesday.

Addressing Public Misunderstandings

Apple’s statement comes in response to speculation on social media that the settlement implied guilt. The Cupertino, California-based company emphasized that Siri requires minimal data to deliver real-time results and that such data interactions involve as little user information as possible.

The company further clarified that audio recordings of Siri interactions are not retained unless users explicitly opt in to help improve Siri’s functionality. Even in these cases, Apple stated, “the recordings are used solely for that purpose.” The company also pledged to continue developing technologies to enhance Siri’s privacy features.

Broader Implications

This settlement highlights ongoing scrutiny of voice assistants. A similar lawsuit involving Google’s (GOOGL.O) Voice Assistant is currently pending in federal court in San Jose, California. The plaintiffs in that case are represented by the same law firms involved in the Apple lawsuit.

Apple’s reaffirmation of its privacy policies aligns with its broader marketing message that positions the company as a leader in user privacy. However, the settlement underscores the growing legal challenges tech companies face regarding data collection and usage.

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