Paris: French prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, following a complaint alleging unlawful data collection and privacy violations. The probe, led by the Paris public prosecutor’s office, stems from accusations that Apple recorded and analysed users’ conversations without proper consent.
Complaint triggers data privacy probe
The complaint was filed by the French human rights organisation Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (LDH) with the support of former Apple subcontractor Thomas Le Bonniec. He alleged that Apple’s subcontractors were tasked with listening to and analysing snippets of Siri recordings — many of which contained sensitive personal details such as medical information, family conversations, and private discussions.
According to Le Bonniec, the recordings were often triggered accidentally, without users deliberately activating Siri. These clips were reportedly reviewed by human contractors for quality control and improvement purposes, raising concerns that Apple may have breached privacy and data protection laws.
Legal scrutiny under French and EU laws
The case has been handed over to the Office for Combating Cybercrime in France. Investigators are examining whether Apple’s data handling practices violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and French data protection laws.
Critics argue that while Apple anonymised the recordings, the process might have been insufficient to prevent re-identification, particularly when combined with metadata or other device information. The lack of full transparency in Apple’s privacy disclosures has also drawn scrutiny from regulators.
Apple’s defence and past measures
Apple has maintained that it has enhanced Siri’s privacy framework over the years. The company stated that recordings are used only to improve Siri’s performance and that users have the option to opt out of voice data sharing. Apple reiterated that no voice data is sold to advertisers or shared with third-party marketers.
The firm previously faced similar controversies, notably in 2019 when reports revealed that human contractors were reviewing Siri recordings. In response, Apple suspended the programme temporarily and introduced new controls requiring users to give explicit consent for data review.
Wider implications for tech companies
If the investigation finds Apple guilty of breaching privacy laws, the company could face criminal penalties and substantial fines. Legal experts believe the case could set a significant precedent for the treatment of voice data and the responsibilities of technology firms operating within the European Union.
This probe also reignites the debate over how “always-on” voice assistants — including Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa — manage accidental activations and data retention. Privacy advocates argue that stronger safeguards and clearer user disclosures are needed to protect individuals from inadvertent surveillance.
A test for digital transparency
The ongoing investigation reflects Europe’s tightening stance on digital privacy and data ethics. It could compel global technology companies to further reinforce transparency measures, giving users more control over how their personal data is used. For Apple, which markets privacy as a key pillar of its brand, the outcome will be closely watched across the tech industry.