Apple faces Paris investigation over Siri recordings
Paris prosecutors have opened an investigation into Apple’s Siri over alleged collection and use of user voice recordings without consent.
The case, overseen by the Anti-Cybercrime Agency, centers on Apple’s collection of thousands of Siri voice recordings, according to Politico. The investigation follows a February 2025 complaint from the Human Rights League, based on testimony from Thomas Le Bonniec, a former Apple subcontractor.
In February 2025, French consumer and civil rights groups also filed complaints in Paris, citing whistleblower accounts of accidental Siri activations and sensitive audio being recorded. Those filings argued that users were not properly informed about how their conversations might be recorded and reviewed.
In February 2025, French consumer and civil rights groups also filed complaints in Paris, citing whistleblower accounts of accidental Siri activations and sensitive audio being recorded. Those filings argued that users were not properly informed about how their conversations might be recorded and reviewed.
The French case over alleged user data privacy violations is based on Le Bonniec’s disclosures. In 2019, he started working part-time for Globe Technical Services, helping Apple with Siri. Working from Cork, Ireland, his job was to listen to Siri recordings and flag responses for improvement. Over time, reviewed thousands of recordings, some containing private conversations or sensitive details that could identify users, according to Le Bonniec.
After trying and failing to get help from data protection authorities, Le Bonniec took his case to French courts, Politico says. He had approached the French data protection authority, as well as its Irish counterpart, which oversees General Data Protection Regulation matters for big tech companies. The Irish regulator closed the case in 2022 without opening an investigation.
Le Bonniec’s complaint with the Human Rights League also paved the way for a class-action lawsuit. This year, lawyer and former Member of the French Parliament, Julien Bayou, launched the suit and is calling on French iPhone users to join.
After trying and failing to get help from data protection authorities, Le Bonniec took his case to French courts, Politico says. He had approached the French data protection authority, as well as its Irish counterpart, which oversees General Data Protection Regulation matters for big tech companies. The Irish regulator closed the case in 2022 without opening an investigation.
Le Bonniec’s complaint with the Human Rights League also paved the way for a class-action lawsuit. This year, lawyer and former Member of the French Parliament, Julien Bayou, launched the suit and is calling on French iPhone users to join.
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