Tech Giant Reaffirms Commitment to User Privacy Amid Legal Resolution
Apple has recently addressed concerns regarding Siri’s privacy practices following a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that Siri, Apple’s voice-activated assistant, inadvertently recorded private conversations and shared them with third parties without user consent.
Apple’s Privacy Assurance
In response to the settlement, Apple emphasized its dedication to user privacy, stating:
- No Data Sales: Siri data has never been sold to any party.
- No Marketing Profiles: Information collected by Siri is not used to build marketing profiles.
- User Consent: Audio recordings are retained only if users opt in for Siri improvement.
Apple further clarified that Siri processes data on-device whenever possible, minimizing data transfer and ensuring that searches and requests are not linked to users’ Apple accounts.
Background of the Lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit accused Siri of:
- Unintentional Recordings: Allegedly activating without prompt and recording private conversations.
- Data Sharing: Supposedly sharing these recordings with third-party advertisers.
While Apple agreed to the $95 million settlement, the company denied any wrongdoing and did not admit to the allegations.
User Control and Transparency
Apple encourages users to review their Siri settings to ensure they align with personal privacy preferences. Users can:
- Opt-In/Out: Choose whether to share audio recordings for Siri improvement.
- Review Data: Access and delete Siri interaction history.
This proactive approach allows users to maintain control over their data and reinforces Apple’s commitment to transparency.