Have you ever been talking to your friends about buying a specific pair of sneakers or a new video game, and then ten minutes later, an ad for that exact thing pops up on your Instagram feed?
We all joke that our phones are constantly listening to us, but according to a massive new lawsuit, that might actually be true.
Tech giants Google and Apple are set to pay out a combined $163 million to settle a lawsuit claiming they secretly listened to and recorded private conversations—even when we didn’t ask them to.
The Breakdown
The lawsuit, which was originally filed back in 2019 by a plaintiff named Fumiko Lopez, accuses the companies of recording users without their knowledge to help brands create targeted ads.
Usually, your phone is only supposed to listen when you use a trigger phrase like “Hey Siri” or “OK Google.” However, according to a report by The New York Post, the lawsuit claims these devices were recording even without those commands.
Basically, if you were having a private chat and your phone was nearby, it might have been taking notes.
What They Have to Pay
Even though both companies are paying up, they aren’t admitting guilt. Apple officially stated, “Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful.”
Despite the denial, they have agreed to settle the case to make it go away:
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Apple is paying $95 million.
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Google is paying $68 million.
Can You Get Paid?
Here is the part everyone at YMHS actually cares about: can we get some of this money?
Technically, yes. If you had a device that activated Siri or Google Assistant without you commanding it between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, you could be eligible. Since most of us have had smartphones during that time, that covers a lot of people.
However, don’t start planning your Prom budget around this check just yet.
According to the settlement website, class members can submit claims for up to five devices. But, the payout is capped at roughly $20 per device. Plus, that number could go down depending on how many millions of people apply for the refund.
“Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims shall receive a pro rata portion of the Net Settlement Amount for a Class Payment of up to a cap of $20 per device.”
The Verdict
While $20 isn’t going to change anyone’s life, the settlement validates that creepy feeling we’ve all had when our phones seem to know a little too much about our private lives.
If you want to file a claim, you’ll have to look up the settlement website and submit a form before the deadline. Until then, maybe be careful what you say around your iPhone.
