Apple's $95M Siri settlement: How to check if you are eligible for a payment
Inc. has reached a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving claims that its Siri-enabled devices recorded users' private conversations without their knowledge or consent.
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The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, accused Apple of violating consumer privacy rights through unintended activations of the Siri voice assistant. While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, it has agreed to resolve the matter through a nationwide settlement affecting millions of users. The case, titled Lopez v. Apple Inc., is of major significance as it highlights growing concerns over the misuse of voice recognition technologies and the collection of personal data by smart devices.
Consumers who owned or used Siri-enabled Apple products between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible for compensation, pending final approval of the settlement.
The settlement is currently awaiting final approval from a federal court, with a hearing scheduled for August 1, 2025. In the meantime, affected users are encouraged to review their eligibility and submit claims by the designated deadline.
Here's a breakdown of everything consumers need to know.
Apple faces lawsuit over Siri recording private conversations
The class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in March 2021. Plaintiffs alleged that Apple's Siri voice assistant was inadvertently activated during private conversations and recorded sensitive information. These recordings, according to the complaint, were allegedly shared with third parties, including contractors hired by Apple to help improve voice recognition accuracy.
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The lawsuit cited a 2019 investigative report published by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple's contractors routinely overheard personal details, including medical discussions, business deals, and intimate interactions. Although Apple stated at the time that only a small subset of anonymized recordings was used for Siri improvement, the report raised major privacy concerns.
Apple accused of monetising Siri recordings without consent
The plaintiffs argued that the unintentional activation of Siri resulted in violations of privacy laws and consumer protection statutes.
They alleged that:
Private and confidential conversations were recorded without consent.
These recordings were used to target users with personalized advertisements.
Users were unaware their devices were listening, even without using the activation phrase "Hey Siri."
Examples provided in the lawsuit included users seeing ads for products shortly after verbally discussing them, even without initiating a Siri command. The complaint claimed that the data captured through Siri was monetized in ways that were not disclosed to the users.
Apple Siri users may be eligible for compensation: Check if you are eligible
Consumers in the United States and its territories who meet the following conditions may be eligible for compensation under the proposed settlement:
Owned or purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
Enabled Siri on that device.
Experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication.
Eligible claimants do not need to prove that their conversations were recorded, only that they used Siri-enabled devices during the specified time period and encountered unintended activations.
iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more: Devices eligible for Siri privacy payout
The settlement applies to a broad range of Apple products equipped with Siri. Eligible devices include:
iPhones
iPads
Apple Watches
MacBooks
iMacs
iPod Touches
Apple TV streaming boxes
HomePod smart speakers
Claimants may submit requests for up to five devices per person.
How much money will you get in the Apple's Siri settlement case
According to the settlement website, eligible participants may receive up to $20 per device, but the final amount is subject to several factors, including:
The total number of valid claims submitted.
The number of devices claimed per individual.
Court approval of the settlement and the absence of successful appeals.
Since the settlement fund is capped at $95 million, the actual amount disbursed per device could be lower if a large number of claims are filed.
Siri Settlement: How and when to file your claim by July 2025
Claimants have until July 2, 2025, to file their requests for compensation. There are two primary methods for submitting a claim:
Online : Visit the official website: lopezvoiceassistantsettlement.com/submit-claim. If you received a mailed or emailed notice, use the provided claim ID and confirmation code. If you did not receive a notice, you can still submit a claim using an alternative form on the site.
: Visit the official website: lopezvoiceassistantsettlement.com/submit-claim.
Mail: A printable version of the form is available on the website and can be mailed to the address listed.
Users also have the option to opt out of the settlement if they wish to retain the right to pursue individual legal action or object to the terms of the agreement.
When will payments be sent
The exact payment timeline depends on final court approval. The next hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, during which a judge will determine whether to finalize the settlement.
If the settlement is approved without appeal, payments may be processed soon after the hearing.
If the decision is appealed, disbursement of funds could be delayed by several months or longer.
Users can stay updated on the status of the case by regularly visiting the official settlement website.
Apple's response and position
Apple has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that Siri is designed with user privacy in mind. The company stated that the purpose of any data collection is strictly to improve Siri's functionality and that audio recordings are only reviewed with user consent. Apple further emphasized that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability.
As part of broader efforts to enhance user trust, Apple has implemented new privacy measures in recent iOS updates, including on-device processing for certain Siri commands and greater transparency about how voice data is handled.
Key deadlines to remember
Claim submission deadline: July 2, 2025
Final approval hearing: August 1, 2025
Also read | Elon Musk was a Microsoft intern! He remembers it in conversation with Satya Nadella
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