France Launches Criminal Probe Into Apple Over Siri Recordings

France is set to legally challenge Apple concerning the privacy of Siri’s voice data handling. Prosecutors have begun investigating whether Apple unlawfully stored and assessed users’ private conversations through Siri, oftentimes without users’ awareness, according to Bloomberg. This action marks a significant step in Europe’s ongoing efforts to hold American tech giants accountable for their data practices.

A Whistleblower Sparks the French Inquiry

The investigation took off after a complaint from the French human rights group, Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH), supported by whistleblower Thomas Le Bonniec. Formerly an Apple contractor in Ireland, Le Bonniec claims he and his colleagues were paid to listen to numerous recordings captured by Siri, many of which were triggered accidentally. He reported that some recordings included highly confidential conversations, such as patients discussing medical issues.

Le Bonniec says that in 2019, he worked through Globe Technical Services to categorize and transcribe recordings to enhance Siri’s language processing. Many of these clips, he notes, were private instances mistakenly recorded by Siri. His allegations were initially covered by Radio France and now underpin the current French legal complaint.

France Alleges Apple’s Privacy Breach

The LDH is charging Apple with breaking privacy laws through unauthorized collection and analysis of these recordings. Nathalie Tehio, the group’s president, argues that Apple’s actions extend well past accidental data capture, branding it as “recording, listening, and transmitting” user dialogue. The group seeks criminal charges, asserting that Apple’s activities violate GDPR rules on privacy and data protection.

The complaint is backed by France’s Sapin 2 law, safeguarding whistleblowers like Le Bonniec and affirming his contribution to unveiling this alleged breach.

Apple’s Defense: Siri Recordings Are Voluntary

Apple contends its practices are fully compliant with the law. The tech company insists that Siri recordings take place only when users specifically opt in to help Siri improve, stating that these recordings are anonymized and not exploited for advertising purposes. In a privacy update from January 2025, Apple emphasized that these interactions aren’t linked to Apple IDs, with major data handling occurring on-device to bolster privacy.

Apple underscores its efforts to enhance Siri’s privacy features in 2019 and again in 2025, reducing audio retention and ending external grading. However, the French complaint focuses on procedures prior to these changes.

Following Apple’s $95 Million Settlement in the U.S.

The French investigation follows closely on the heels of Apple’s $95 million settlement in the United States over similar Siri privacy allegations. The U.S. lawsuit alleged that Siri recorded private interactions between 2014 and 2024 and provided those recordings to contractors without users’ consent. While the U.S. case was resolved with financial restitution, France’s probe is of a criminal nature, suggesting potential for more severe consequences if Apple is found liable.

Experts in privacy law are viewing this case as part of France’s larger initiative to regulate Big Tech, alongside its digital services tax and antitrust inquiries. The Siri controversy might set new precedents for how voice assistants should handle personal data.

A Broader Call on Voice Assistant Privacy

This French probe isn’t merely a local affair; it’s a wake-up call for all enterprises developing AI-driven voice assistants. Platforms like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant depend on voice inputs to enhance functionality, but users expect confidentiality with their data.

While Apple’s privacy efforts post-2019 reflect some advancements, past actions are surfacing as areas of concern. Should the company be convicted, it could face substantial fines and be mandated to modify Siri’s operational framework in Europe. Broadly, this could influence worldwide privacy norms concerning voice technology.

For users, the clear message is to review their voice assistant settings, erase historical recordings, and recognize that what Siri overhears might not remain private.

Would this affect your daily use of Siri? Share your thoughts below.