Remember when Apple refused to give the feds access to the San Bernadino Shooter’s iPhone citing the importance of keeping users privacy secure?[11] It seems like the corporation has since turned another page.

Apple, a company that has long branded itself as a champion of privacy and consumer rights, recently agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of invasive surveillance practices through its Siri virtual assistant.

The controversy surrounding this settlement is emblematic of the broader issues plaguing Big Tech: corporate greed, unchecked power, and the systemic erosion of public trust.

For a corporation that touts privacy as a “fundamental human right,” this case exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of Apple’s operations and raises urgent questions about corporate accountability in the era of neoliberal capitalism.

A Breach of Trust

At the center of this lawsuit are accusations that Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, was surreptitiously recording private conversations without user consent.

The lawsuit alleged that Siri was often activated unintentionally and captured sensitive discussions—ranging from medical information to personal activities—which were then shared with third-party advertisers. This practice not only violated user privacy but also contradicted Apple’s public claims about safeguarding personal data.

The recordings were reportedly used for targeted advertising, a move that directly undermines Apple’s carefully curated image as a privacy-first company.

Plaintiffs in the case cited examples where they received ads for products they had only discussed in private conversations, suggesting that their data was being monetized without their knowledge or consent.

This revelation is particularly damning given Apple’s repeated assurances that it does not sell user data—a claim now rendered dubious at best.

A Settlement That Falls Short

While Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle the lawsuit, this amount is a mere drop in the ocean for a company with an estimated valuation exceeding $2.8 trillion.

The settlement includes provisions for compensating affected users—up to $20 per device for eligible claimants—but many critics argue that this payout is insufficient to address the scale of harm caused.

Moreover, only a small percentage of eligible users are likely to file claims, further diluting the financial impact on Apple.

The settlement also requires Apple to delete improperly obtained recordings and improve its transparency around Siri’s settings. However, these measures feel like too little, too late.

They do not address the systemic issues within Apple’s data collection practices nor do they provide meaningful deterrents against future violations.

As is often the case with corporate misconduct, this settlement allows Apple to avoid admitting any wrongdoing while continuing to profit from its questionable practices.

Corporate Accountability in an Era of Neoliberal Capitalism

This case highlights a recurring theme in neoliberal capitalism: corporations prioritizing shareholder profits over ethical responsibilities.

Despite its public rhetoric about privacy, Apple’s actions reveal a business model deeply entrenched in data monetization and consumer exploitation.

The company’s willingness to compromise user trust for financial gain underscores the dangers of concentrating power in the hands of unregulated tech giants.

Apple is not alone in this behavior; it is part of a larger pattern across the tech industry.

Companies routinely make grandiose promises about protecting user rights while engaging in practices that undermine those very principles. Regulatory agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) often lack the resources to hold these corporations accountable, leaving consumers vulnerable to exploitation.

The Broader Implications for Economic Inequality

The fallout from cases like this extends beyond privacy violations; it exacerbates economic inequality and wealth disparity. By leveraging user data for targeted advertising, companies like Apple perpetuate systems that disproportionately benefit wealthy shareholders at the expense of everyday consumers. The $95 million settlement may seem significant on paper, but it pales in comparison to the billions Apple generates annually through its ecosystem of products and services.

Moreover, these practices contribute to a growing sense of disempowerment among consumers who feel they have little control over how their data is used.

This imbalance reflects broader systemic issues within neoliberal capitalism, where corporations wield disproportionate influence over public policy and individual rights.

Apple’s Hypocrisy on Privacy

One of the most striking aspects of this controversy is the stark contrast between Apple’s public image and its actual practices. CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly framed privacy as a fundamental human right, positioning Apple as an ethical alternative to other tech giants like Google and Facebook. Yet, this lawsuit reveals that Apple’s commitment to privacy is more about marketing than substance.

For years, Apple has used its privacy stance as a competitive advantage, even going so far as to criticize rivals for their data collection practices. However, the revelations about Siri suggest that Apple is not immune to engaging in similar behavior when it serves its bottom line. This hypocrisy erodes public trust and raises questions about whether any corporation can be trusted to self-regulate in matters as critical as privacy.

The Role of Grassroots Movements and Consumer Advocacy

In light of these revelations, grassroots movements and consumer advocacy groups have an essential role to play in holding corporations accountable. Class-action lawsuits like this one are a powerful tool for exposing corporate misconduct and securing compensation for affected individuals. However, they are not enough on their own.

Consumers must demand greater transparency from companies about how their data is collected and used. This includes advocating for stronger regulations that impose meaningful penalties on corporations that violate privacy laws. Additionally, workers within these companies should be empowered to speak out against unethical practices without fear of retaliation—a right that is often suppressed through restrictive confidentiality agreements and surveillance policies.

I Am Skeptical About Corporate Reform

While Apple has pledged to improve its transparency around Siri’s settings as part of the settlement, history suggests that such promises are rarely transformative. Corporations are incentivized to prioritize shareholder profits above all else, making meaningful reform unlikely without external pressure.

Regulatory bodies must step up their efforts to enforce existing laws and close loopholes that allow companies to exploit user data with impunity. At the same time, consumers must remain vigilant and skeptical of corporate promises that are not backed by concrete actions.

A Call for Systemic Change

The $95 million settlement between Apple and affected consumers serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need for systemic change in how corporations handle user data.

While this case may result in some short-term accountability for Apple, it does little to address the underlying issues that enable such violations in the first place.

As long as corporations are allowed to operate with minimal oversight and prioritize profits over ethics, cases like this will continue to emerge.

It is up to regulators, consumers, and advocacy groups to push back against this tide of corporate greed and demand a more equitable system—one where privacy is truly treated as a fundamental human right rather than just another marketing slogan.

In an era defined by wealth disparity and unchecked corporate power, we cannot afford to let companies like Apple off the hook with token settlements and empty promises. True accountability requires systemic change—and it starts with recognizing that corporations will not change voluntarily when their profits depend on maintaining the status quo.


Since the release of this settlement yesterday, Apple’s stock price has dropped by 5.67% over the past week

However, $AAPL is still up more than 33% over the past year

sources:
[1] https://news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/apple-hit-over-privacy-as-us-tries-to-undercut-antitrust-defense
[2] https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/apple-vs-feds-is-iphone-privacy-a-basic-human-right
[3] https://ibl.law.uiowa.edu/scientific-approach-tech-accountability
[4] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tech-layoffs-necessary-evil-corporate-greed-moureen-milgo
[5] https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/research-publications/rights-and-responsibilities-understanding-the-impact-of-the-tech-industry-on-economic-inequality/
[6] https://www.bsr.org/en/news/research-reveals-strong-support-for-social-justice-us-workers-consumers
[7] https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/health-and-corruption
[8] https://natlawreview.com/article/worker-sues-apple-alleging-unfair-labor-practices-employee-privacy-violations
[9] https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/translational/justice
[10] https://time.com/7204493/apple-to-pay-95-million-settle-lawsuit-siri-eavesdropping/
[11] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple%E2%80%93FBI_encryption_dispute