Apple Denies Selling Siri Data
On Wednesday, Apple (AAPL.O) clarified that it has never sold data collected by its Siri voice assistant or used it to create marketing profiles. This statement comes just days after the company agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit, where plaintiffs accused Apple of recording private conversations unintentionally activated by Siri and sharing them with third parties, including advertisers.
Details of the Lawsuit and Settlement
Last week, Apple settled the lawsuit without admitting any wrongdoing. The lawsuit alleged that Siri often recorded private conversations without user consent and shared this data with advertisers. Despite denying these claims, Apple agreed to the settlement, which could result in tens of millions of Apple customers receiving up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, such as iPhones and Apple Watches.
Apple’s Response to Allegations
Apple reiterated in its statement that it has never used Siri data to create marketing profiles, made it available for advertising, or sold it for any purpose. The company emphasized that Siri uses minimal data to provide accurate real-time responses when certain features require input from Apple servers. Furthermore, Apple clarified that it does not retain audio recordings of Siri interactions unless users explicitly opt in to improve Siri’s performance. Even then, these recordings are used solely for that purpose.
Broader Implications and Future Developments
Apple’s clarification comes in response to social media discussions and commentaries that interpreted the settlement as an admission of the allegations. The company reaffirmed its commitment to privacy, stating it will continue to develop technologies that enhance Siri’s privacy features.
Meanwhile, a similar lawsuit involving Google’s (GOOGL.O) Voice Assistant is pending in the federal court in San Jose, California. Interestingly, the same law firms representing plaintiffs in the Apple case are handling this lawsuit against Google.
Apple’s latest statement underscores its ongoing efforts to assure users of its commitment to privacy, particularly in the realm of voice-assisted technology.
