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Apple to Pay Nearly $100 Million to Settle Siri Privacy Lawsuit

Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing its Siri voice assistant of violating users’ privacy by illegally recording private conversations and sharing the information with advertisers. The settlement, filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, marks a significant case in the ongoing debate over data privacy and corporate responsibility.

Key Allegations Against Apple

The lawsuit alleges that Siri was inadvertently activated on Apple devices, including iPhones and Apple Watches, leading to private conversations being recorded without user consent. These recordings, according to the plaintiffs, were shared with third parties, including advertisers.

Some plaintiffs reported receiving targeted ads for products shortly after discussing them in private, fuelling suspicions about how their data was being used.

Apple denies the claims, maintaining that it does not intentionally eavesdrop on users or share their conversations with advertisers. Nevertheless, the company chose to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation.

Settlement Details

  • Apple has agreed to pay $95 million in cash to affected users as part of the settlement.
  • Individuals included in the class action could receive up to $20 per eligible device.
  • Devices covered include iPhones, Apple Watches, and other products with Siri functionality.

The preliminary settlement was filed on Tuesday and awaits approval from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.

The Big Number

Apple’s market capitalization, standing at $93.74 billion, highlights the scale of its financial resources. Analysts estimate it will take Apple just nine hours of market activity to recoup the settlement amount.

Wider Implications for Big Tech

This lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal actions against major tech companies for alleged privacy violations. Google’s parent company Alphabet is facing a similar lawsuit, with plaintiffs accusing its Voice Assistant of eavesdropping on private conversations. That case is being heard in a federal court in San Jose, California, the same district as the Apple lawsuit.

Both lawsuits are being handled by the same law firms, underscoring a growing legal focus on protecting user privacy and holding tech companies accountable.

What’s Next?

The Apple settlement sheds light on how tech giants handle sensitive user data and raises questions about the safeguards in place to protect privacy. As legal scrutiny intensifies, companies like Apple and Google may face increasing pressure to enhance transparency and security measures, setting a new standard for user privacy in the digital age.

The settlement also serves as a reminder for users to remain vigilant about the privacy settings on their devices and to hold corporations accountable for upholding their commitments to data protection.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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