Apple has agreed to pay consumers $95 million (about 140 billion won) in a lawsuit related to allegations that it secretly collected personal information through Siri, according to the Associated Press.
From September 2014 to 2022, Apple will pay $20 per device to consumers using iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches equipped with Siri. Individuals can claim compensation for up to five devices. The agreement applies to consumers who purchased and owned the devices in the United States and proved that Siri was activated without their consent.
Claimants allege that Siri was activated without voice commands, allowing it to eavesdrop on conversations and use them for advertising purposes. In fact, cases where users received targeted ads related to products mentioned in conversations after speaking near Apple devices are also included in the lawsuit.
They claimed that these actions violated Apple's privacy policies and the human rights protection principles emphasized by CEO Tim Cook.
Apple has not admitted to the allegations through the settlement, and the compensation requires court approval before it can be disbursed. Apple anticipates that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers will actually request the settlement. The Associated Press noted that this compensation is a small amount compared to Apple's substantial profits and is also less than the estimated $1.5 billion (about 2.2 trillion won) that would have to be paid if the lawsuit proceeded to trial.