Apple Faces French Probe Over Siri's Secret Recordings
Apple faces a legal probe in France following a whistleblower's claim that the tech giant's virtual assistant, Siri, has been recording private conversations without users' knowledge. The investigation, sparked by a complaint from the Human Rights League (HRL), comes after Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement in the US over similar allegations.
Thomas Le Bonniec, a former employee of an Apple subcontractor, revealed that he was tasked with analyzing Siri recordings, which could potentially expose intimate moments or confidential information. The HRL filed a complaint in France, leading to an investigation by the Paris prosecutor's office. The probe aims to determine the extent of the data collection, including the number of recordings made since 2014, the number of affected users, and the data's storage location. In the US, Apple settled a class-action lawsuit in 2021, paying $95 million to consumers who accused the company of recording private conversations without their consent. Meanwhile, a class action has been launched in France by Julien Bayou, inviting French iPhone users to seek damages.
The investigation into Apple's Siri data collection practices is ongoing in France. The outcome could have significant implications for the tech giant and potentially affect millions of iPhone users worldwide. Apple maintains that it does not use Siri data for marketing profiles, advertising, or selling it to third parties.
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