Have you ever had Siri unexpectedly activate during a private conversation? If so, you might be eligible for a payment from Apple.
This potential compensation comes from a $95 million class action settlement related to claims that Siri may have unintentionally recorded users without their consent. Apple has denied any wrongdoing, according to the official lawsuit website, and has not commented publicly on the matter.
To qualify for the payout, individuals must have used or purchased an Apple product with Siri enabled in the U.S. between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Claimants must also confirm that Siri was unintentionally triggered during a confidential conversation.
Siri, Apple’s voice assistant introduced in 2011, is available across a range of devices including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, and HomePods. It’s typically activated by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing the side button on supported devices.
Concerns about voice assistants capturing private conversations gained attention in 2019 after reports from various media outlets revealed that contractors reviewing audio data could hear sensitive interactions. These reports raised broader privacy concerns across the tech industry, including scrutiny of platforms like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.
In a public statement issued in January, Apple emphasized that it has never used Siri-related data to create marketing profiles, shared it for advertising purposes, or sold it to third parties. The company also noted that it is continuously working to enhance Siri’s privacy protections.
Apple explained that one of its key privacy strategies involves limiting the amount of user data transmitted to its servers during Siri interactions, and whenever feasible, processing requests locally on the device itself to safeguard user information.
Filing Process Explained
Eligible individuals should have received an email at the address associated with their Apple ID. The message, titled “Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement,” contains important details for submitting a claim, including a confirmation code, a claimant ID, and a link to the official settlement website.
A claim form is also available directly on the website for public access. However, applicants will need to show proof that they owned or purchased an Apple device with Siri functionality.
Claims must be submitted no later than July 2, and users can include up to five Siri-enabled devices in their submission. The compensation is limited to a maximum of $20 per device.
Any approved payments are expected to be distributed later in the year, as the final hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for August 1.
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