Paris Times

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
Friday, Mar 14, 2025

Apple Faces Legal Challenges Over Allegations of Data Privacy Violations Linked to Siri

Apple Faces Legal Challenges Over Allegations of Data Privacy Violations Linked to Siri

A complaint has been filed in Paris alleging massive data collection practices related to the use of Siri, following revelations from a former employee.
On February 13, 2025, the Ligue des Droits de l'Homme submitted a complaint to the Paris prosecutor's office against Apple Inc., asserting the company has engaged in large-scale collection of personal data through its virtual assistant, Siri.

The complaint follows disclosures from a former employee of a subcontractor for Apple, Thomas Le Bonniec, who has come forward as a whistleblower.

Le Bonniec, who worked for Globe Technical Services (GTS) in Cork, Ireland, in 2019, claimed that employees were tasked with analyzing a substantial volume of audio recordings in which individuals interacted with Siri.

He mentioned that on a daily basis, each worker was required to process approximately 1,300 recordings.

This included not only intentional interactions but also inadvertent activations of Siri that captured private conversations without users' consent.

In interviews with Le Monde and Radio France, Le Bonniec described the types of recordings he and his colleagues were exposed to, including intimate and sensitive discussions.

He recounted experiences such as overhearing individuals discussing financial details and instances of couples engaging in sexual activities.

These observations led him to characterize the work environment as one of pervasive eavesdropping.

Le Bonniec described the process as involving verification of the accuracy of Siri's transcriptions, frequently categorizing recordings as 'accidental triggers' — instances when the assistant was activated unintentionally.

After having listened to more than 50,000 recordings, Le Bonniec reportedly decided to exit the company after hearing particularly troubling content.

He alleges that such practices are not isolated to Apple and suggests that similar protocols may be present at other major tech firms including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.

In response to these allegations, Apple affirmed that Siri was designed with user privacy in mind, stating that the protection of user data is a cornerstone of its approach to technology.

The complaint in Paris coincides with a potential class-action lawsuit in California, Lopez vs.

Apple, set to be addressed on February 14, 2025. This lawsuit alleges that Apple recorded, processed, and stored private conversations without user consent between 2014 and 2024. Should the proposed settlement be approved, it could require Apple to compensate affected individuals with a total of $95 million to resolve the claims.

The ongoing legal scrutiny reflects wider concerns over data privacy practices among tech companies, highlighting the challenges that major technology firms face in maintaining user trust and compliance with privacy regulations.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
France Takes a Strong Stance Against Potential US Tariffs on Alcoholic Drinks
Donatella Versace to Resign as Creative Director Following Almost 30 Years in the Role.
Putin Shows Interest in a 30-Day Ceasefire in Ukraine Amid Ongoing Hostilities.
French Prime Minister Bayrou Reaffirms Position Against US Tariff Threats
DOGE has found out that there are 394 million individuals receiving Social Security in the United States.
FBI Alerts About Increasing Smishing Scams Aimed at Mobile Users
EU and Canada Unveil Counter-Tariffs in Response to U.S. Steel and Aluminum Duties.
Romania Excludes Top Presidential Contender Călin Georgescu from Election Re-run
Report of a Radioactive Coolant Leak from the Largest Nuclear Reactor in Europe
Russian Teacher Under Investigation After Explicit Content Incident in Classroom
Poland Plans Comprehensive Military Training for All Adult Males Amid Enhanced Defense Initiatives
Lithuania Withdraws from Cluster Munitions Convention Amid Security Concerns
The Trump administration has launched a Gold Card Visa program that exempts foreign assets from taxation in the United States.
Trump Finds Negotiating with Russia Simpler than with Ukraine During the Ongoing Conflict
Macron Cautions Against Growing Russian Aggression as U.S. Support for Ukraine Evolves
EU Member States Endorse Gradual Rollout of Entry/Exit System
Europe Investigates the Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Aid Ukraine.
Macron Calls on Europe to Bolster Defense in Response to Russian Threats and Possible U.S. Withdrawal.
Macron Contemplates Joint Trip to Washington with Zelensky and the Prime Minister of the UK.
The UK and France are joining forces with Ukraine to pursue a resolution in the conflict with Russia.
Update on Pope Francis's Health: Vatican Reports He is in Stable Condition.
Cross-Party Parliamentarians Express Worry About Proposed Reductions to the UK's Aid Budget
U.S. Creates Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve, Leading to Market Upsurge.
Here, unelected President Zelensky meets with two top American democratically elected officials who are neither stupid, nor bribed, nor blind
Citigroup Unintentionally Deposits $81 Trillion into Account, Mistake Corrected Within Hours.
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital with Pneumonia Faces Breathing Emergency
Katy Perry to Participate in All-Female Space Expedition with Blue Origin
Apple Is Sued Over Claims of Deceptive Carbon Neutrality Promises for Its Watches.
US President Asserts NATO Membership for Ukraine Is Off the Table
Apple Resolves iPhone Dictation Bug That Linked 'Racist' to 'Trump'
Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on European Imports, Citing Unfair Trade Practices
Germany's Election Outcomes: Migrants Confront Uncertainty Amid Growing Far-Right Backing
Macron Stresses Ukraine's Independence During US-Russia Peace Discussions
Unelected President Zelenskiy suggests he would step down only if the unthinkable occurs: Ukraine becomes a member of NATO.
German election surveys indicate a change as conservatives take the lead and the far right makes gains.
American Airlines flight redirected to Rome following bomb threat.
Trump Commends German Election Outcomes as 'Fantastic Day for Germany'
German Political Leaders Respond to Election Outcomes
Initial Exit Polls Suggest Conservative Advantage in German Election
The US may restrict Ukraine's access to Starlink internet services due to mineral concerns.
Germany Gears Up for Crucial Election Amidst Political Instability
Stabbing Incident in Mulhouse, France: One Fatality, President Condemns Islamist Terrorism
Vatican Declares Pope Francis' Health Status as 'Critical'
U.S. and Hungarian Authorities Explore Economic Collaboration and Sanctions Strategy
Tech Giants Launch Lobbying Campaigns Against Strict EU Regulations
Pope Francis Admitted to Hospital in Rome Amid Increasing Speculation on Succession
UK Leader Keir Starmer Calls for US Security Guarantee in Ukraine Peace Deal
NATO Chief Urges Greater Defense Expenditure in Europe
Trump and Putin's negotiation teams meet directly, establishing a foundation for a significant advancement.
Pope Francis Continues to Stay in the Hospital While Doctors Tackle a Complicated Infection.
×