French prosecutors have reopened an investigation into Apple’s handling of Siri voice recordings, reigniting a privacy scandal that began in 2019. The Paris public prosecutor’s office assigned the case to the OFAC cybercrime unit, which will examine how Apple stored and managed user recordings.
The inquiry follows a complaint filed by the French NGO Ligue des droits de l’Homme in February 2025. It builds on allegations from whistleblower Thomas Le Bonniec, a former contractor for Globe Technical Services in Ireland. He claimed that Apple sent Siri recordings to external reviewers without users’ consent.
Whistleblower Exposes Sensitive Recordings
Le Bonniec revealed that Siri often recorded people by accident. These recordings sometimes captured personal moments, including medical discussions or private conversations. Contractors reportedly reviewed the clips to improve Siri’s accuracy.
He said Apple did not properly inform users that human reviewers could access their audio. Although Apple mentioned manual analysis in its privacy policy, critics argue the disclosure lacked clarity.
Le Bonniec contacted regulators in France and Ireland, but neither launched a formal investigation. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission closed the case in 2022 without penalties. Frustrated by the outcome, Le Bonniec filed a new complaint in France to push for transparency and accountability.
Apple Responds to Renewed Scrutiny
Apple defended its privacy practices, stating it never used Siri recordings for marketing, shared them with advertisers, or sold them. The company said it has improved Siri’s privacy controls, anonymizing data and allowing users to opt out of sharing their voice samples.
Earlier this year, Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement in the U.S. over similar Siri-related claims. However, the company maintained that iPhones do not “listen” to users and that privacy remains a core principle.
Balancing Innovation and Privacy
France’s renewed investigation underscores the growing tension between innovation and personal privacy. As voice assistants become more common, Apple faces mounting pressure to prove that convenience and confidentiality can coexist.
