Ethical Hacking News
In a shocking turn of events, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of invading users' privacy using its voice-activated Siri assistant. The development raises important questions about the accountability of big tech companies when it comes to user data and highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight in this critical area.
Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit alleging it invaded users' privacy using its voice-activated Siri assistant.The settlement applies to U.S.-based individuals who own or have owned a Siri-enabled device.The lawsuit claims Apple shares users' confidential voice communications with third-party contractors, who use the information for targeted ads.Apple disputes these claims, but the settlement suggests it may have been more complicit than thought.The case highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight of big tech companies on user data and privacy.
In a shocking turn of events, Apple has agreed to pay a staggering $95 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of invading users' privacy using its voice-activated Siri assistant. The development, first reported by Reuters, has sent shockwaves throughout the tech industry and raised important questions about the accountability of big tech companies when it comes to user data.
The settlement applies to U.S.-based individuals who are current or former owners or purchasers of a Siri-enabled device, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV. Eligible individuals can submit claims for up to five Siri devices, with each claim potentially earning them $20 per device. The lawsuit alleges that Apple's Siri assistant has been recording and sharing users' confidential voice communications with third-party contractors, who then used this information to target advertisements towards unsuspecting users.
At the heart of this controversy is a 2019 report from The Guardian that revealed third-party contractors were listening in on private conversations of Siri users, issuing voice commands to the assistant as part of its efforts to improve product quality. This revelation sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater transparency and accountability from tech companies when it comes to user data.
An amended complaint filed in September 2021 alleged that the private conversations recorded by Apple due to accidental activations were also disclosed to third-party advertisers, further fueling concerns about Siri's ability to safeguard users' personal information. Cupertino has disputed these claims, arguing that there is no evidence to support the notion that targeted ads are being sent to users based on their conversations with Siri.
However, the settlement and subsequent revelations suggest that Apple may have been more complicit in this practice than previously thought. The company's apology for not "fully living up to our high ideals" and its introduction of an opt-in feature to help Siri improve by learning from audio samples of user requests are notable steps towards transparency, but many experts argue that these measures do little to address the core issue of user data protection.
It is worth noting that Google, which has also faced similar accusations in the past, is currently battling a similar lawsuit in the U.S. District Court. This ongoing battle highlights the need for greater regulation and oversight of big tech companies when it comes to user data and privacy.
The Apple Siri settlement serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the tech industry. As we move forward into 2025, cybersecurity experts are warning that the top threats will include advanced persistent threats, zero-day exploits, and AI-powered phishing attacks. In this environment, it is crucial that companies prioritize user data protection and adopt robust security measures to safeguard against these emerging threats.
In conclusion, the Apple Siri settlement highlights the dark side of voice assistant technology and underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability from big tech companies when it comes to user data. As we move forward into 2025, cybersecurity experts will be watching with bated breath as the top trends in cybersecurity emerge.
Related Information:
https://thehackernews.com/2025/01/apple-to-pay-siri-users-20-per-device.html
Published: Fri Jan 3 00:40:14 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
