Apple Clears Up Siri Privacy Concerns After $95 Million Class Action Settlement.

Apple has addressed privacy concerns surrounding its Siri voice assistant following a $95 million class action settlement, clarifying that it has never sold or used data collected through Siri for advertising purposes. The lawsuit, which was settled last week, involved allegations that Apple recorded users' private conversations without consent when Siri was inadvertently activated and that these recordings were shared with third parties, including advertisers.

The settlement, which may provide up to $20 per Siri-enabled device for millions of affected users, does not include any admission of wrongdoing by Apple. The company refuted claims that it had sold or utilized Siri data for creating marketing profiles, asserting that it only stores data in specific instances where users opt into improving Siri features.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Apple emphasized that it does not retain audio recordings of Siri interactions unless users actively choose to contribute data for improvement purposes. The company also reassured users that such data is used exclusively for this purpose and not for advertising or third-party access. Apple further emphasized its commitment to enhancing Siri's privacy features and technology, seeking to address growing concerns about user data security.

The clarification follows recent scrutiny of tech companies over data privacy and has sparked further discussions on the need for transparency and user control over personal data. Apple has reiterated that privacy remains a key focus for the company, particularly with Siri's evolving capabilities.

The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused Apple of violating privacy laws by allowing third-party contractors to listen to and transcribe voice recordings made through Siri, even if users were not aware their conversations were being reviewed.

As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to resolve the claims, with eligible users receiving compensation. The company emphasized its commitment to user privacy and clarified that it no longer retains audio recordings unless users enable the "Improve Siri and Dictation" setting. Apple also asserted that it would continue to enhance privacy controls, giving users more transparency and control over their data.

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