French legal authorities have launched a criminal inquiry into Apple's digital assistant, Siri, following a formal grievance lodged by a prominent human rights organization. The Parisian prosecutor's office has assigned this matter to the national cybercrime division, stemming from a complaint by the Ligue des Droits de l'Homme, supported by tech researcher Thomas Le Bonniec. The core accusation is that Apple has been surreptitiously recording and analyzing user conversations through Siri, without obtaining explicit consent from individuals.
This latest legal challenge is not an isolated incident for Apple concerning Siri's privacy protocols. In early 2025, the company reached a $95 million settlement in a U.S. class-action lawsuit, which alleged that Siri unintentionally captured private conversations, leading to targeted advertisements. Furthermore, Apple is currently facing scrutiny regarding the perceived shortcomings of Siri's generative AI capabilities. Industry observers and investors have voiced concerns about Siri's performance, with some labeling it as 'embarrassing' when compared to rival AI assistants. This competitive pressure was highlighted in August, when Alphabet's Google released a promotional advertisement for its Pixel 10, subtly criticizing Siri's delayed advancements and encouraging users to consider switching devices.
In response to mounting pressure and ongoing privacy concerns, Apple is reportedly undertaking a significant overhaul of Siri. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman indicated in September that the tech giant is actively working to transform Siri into a more sophisticated, chatbot-like entity. This strategic pivot aims to address both the privacy criticisms and the performance gap, signaling Apple's commitment to enhancing its AI offerings and rebuilding user trust amidst evolving technological and regulatory landscapes.
The unfolding events surrounding Siri underscore the critical importance of privacy in the digital age and the imperative for technology companies to maintain transparency and accountability in their data handling practices. As AI continues to integrate more deeply into daily life, safeguarding user data and ensuring explicit consent will be paramount for fostering trust and driving innovation responsibly.