Apple's commitment to user privacy has faced scrutiny following a $95 million class action settlement related to its Siri voice assistant. The lawsuit alleged that Apple recorded private conversations without user consent and shared this data with third parties. In response, Apple clarified that it has never sold Siri data or used it for marketing purposes. The company stated that it only retains audio recordings if users opt in for improvement purposes [d595c8c3].
This settlement allows affected customers to receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they own. The resolution of this lawsuit comes at a time when Apple is emphasizing its privacy-first approach in the AI industry, particularly in contrast to competitors like Microsoft, which recently faced backlash over its Recall AI feature due to privacy issues [322ca6d4].
In the wake of the class action, Apple's global market share cap has surpassed Microsoft's, solidifying its position as a leader in AI technology. Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett noted that Apple's privacy-focused approach is a key factor in its stock performance, which has been positively impacted by the company's recent AI announcements at the WWDC event [413a5725].
Meanwhile, Microsoft's decision to delay the Recall AI feature on Copilot+ PCs is a direct response to customer complaints and privacy concerns. The Recall feature, which captures screenshots of user activity, has raised significant security and privacy issues, prompting Microsoft to prioritize thorough testing and feedback before its release [1eaa3df8].
Apple's rejection of a deal to use Meta Platforms' Llama AI chatbot further underscores its commitment to user privacy, reinforcing its stance against compromising user data for business partnerships [413a5725].