Apple Agrees to $95 Million Settlement Over Siri Privacy Lawsuit:
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement over a class action lawsuit accusing it of violating user privacy by retaining recordings from unintended Siri activations. The settlement covers a decade, and eligible users of Siri-enabled devices could receive compensation, though the payout depends on the number of claimants. Apple’s vast product ecosystem makes this significant, with 155 million active iPhones and over 32 million active Apple TVs in the U.S. as of 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Who sued Apple and what is the resion?
The class-action lawsuit Lopez et al v. Apple Inc. was filed in 2019, with plaintiffs accusing Apple of secretly recording their conversations after unintended Siri activations. These recordings, they claim, were not only kept without consent but allegedly sold to advertisers to target users with personalized ads.
Some plaintiffs shared shocking experiences, like seeing ads for Air Jordan and Olive Garden after merely discussing those brands aloud. In some cases, users say their devices began listening to them even without saying “Hey Siri.” Even more concerning, one of the plaintiffs was a minor when the lawsuit was filed.
Despite agreeing to a $95 million settlement, Apple has not admitted to any wrongdoing, leaving the tech giant’s practices under a continued spotlight.
Who Are Class Action Participants?
The eligibility for this settlement is quite broad, open to anyone who owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024. To participate, you’ll need to swear under oath that you accidentally activated Siri at some point during this period on each device you claim a payout for.
Siri-enabled devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV streaming boxes, HomePod speakers, and iPod Touches.Siri
How Much You Can Get From This Settlement?
To claim your share of the class action settlement, you can receive up to $20 per eligible device, though the payout may be lower depending on how many people opt in. Each individual can claim payments for a maximum of five devices.
However, the exact process for opting in and the timing of payments are still unclear. The settlement must first be approved by a federal judge, with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 14 to finalize the terms before payments can be disbursed.
