Apple's Siri settlement could mean money for consumers — what to know

This is a betrayal of its long-standing commitment to personal privacy by compromising with trendy iPhones and other devices.

Here are some key points in a proposed settlement that was filed in US federal court, pending a judge's approval, and involves some sensitive privacy concerns.

What was this lawsuit actually about?

The class-action lawsuit against Apple was filed by the Wood Law Firm in August 2019, just after a news piece published by The Guardian reported that Siri had begun secretly recording conversations of users without their permission.

Apple released a software update in September of 2014, designed to only activate its virtual assistant, Siri, when users said the phrase "Hey, Siri." However, a report published by The Guardian alleged that Siri was actually listening to and recording conversations at other times, allegedly as part of Apple's efforts to improve its technology.

The controversy led to legal action, which sparked claims that Apple may have shared some of the conversations secretly recorded by Siri with companies trying to reach potential customers who were likely to purchase their products and services.

What number of individuals will be affected by the agreement.

More than 30 million U.S. consumers who bought or owned iPhones and other devices with Siri between September 17, 2014, and the end of last year may be eligible to file a claim.

What kind of compensation can eligible consumers expect?

It's still unclear what the outcome will be, but a proposed agreement is planning to provide compensation of up to $20 per device with Siri capabilities, subject to a maximum payout per individual.

A claims administrator thinks that only 3% to 5% of eligible customers will file claims. The lawyers working on the case are asking for just under $30 million in pay and expenses, but the figure could be lower after a U.S. District Judge in California decides on it. A meeting in a court in Oakland, California, on February 14th is set to consider the terms of a proposed deal.

Has Apple violated any laws?

If the allegations are accurate, Apple might have infringed upon federal wiretapping laws and other regulations meant to safeguard citizens' confidentiality. Nevertheless, Apple firmly rejects any accusations of wrongdoing and states that, had legal proceedings ensued, it would have been vindicated of any wrongdoing.

The company failed to provide an immediate response to a media inquiry submitted on Friday.

Lawyers for the consumers argued that Apple's actions were severe enough that they could have claimed $1.5 billion in compensation if they had lost the case.

Apple has agreed to a settlement, though they have not publicly disclosed the reasons behind it. Often, large companies opt to settle class-action lawsuits to avoid ongoing legal costs and the possibility of reputational damage. One such lawsuit condemned Apple for contradicting one of its foundational principles, which holds privacy as a "fundamental human right."

While $95 million may seem like a large amount, for Apple, it's a relatively small sum considering the company has recorded profits exceeding $700 billion since September 2014, a period of remarkable financial success that has contributed to its market value reaching around $3.7 trillion.

Should I be concerned about microphones on other devices being used to snoop on me?

A case similar to the one against Siri is also pending in a San Jose, California, federal court against Google and its Android virtual assistant, which has been available on many smartphones for several years.

How do I turn off or shut down Siri?

To disable Apple's virtual assistant, you can follow these straightforward steps:

1. Go to Settings > Siri & Search.

To turn Siri off, go to: Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for "Hey Siri", then toggle off.

Choose the "Turn Off Siri" option when a notification box appears.

To block specific iPhone apps from using your phone's microphone, follow these steps: Open Settings, select the app you want to restrict, and toggle the Microphone switch to the "off" position.