Apple users who believe their private conversations were recorded by Siri without consent now have an opportunity to receive compensation. The tech giant has agreed to pay $95 million to settle allegations that its voice assistant was improperly listening to and sharing private conversations, though the company denies any wrongdoing.
 |
|---|
| The dynamic sound waves illustrate the theme of communication and privacy concerns surrounding Siri's functionality |
The Settlement Details
Apple has established a claims process for US customers who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. The settlement stems from the Lopez v Apple Inc. lawsuit filed in December, which accused Apple of recording private conversations through unintended Siri activations and sharing that data with third parties. Eligible users can now submit claims for up to $20 per device, with a maximum of five devices per person, potentially receiving up to $100 in compensation. The final payment amount may vary depending on the total number of valid claims submitted.
Privacy Allegations
The controversy first gained public attention in 2019 when a whistleblower revealed to The Guardian that external contractors evaluating Siri's performance could hear sensitive user conversations. According to the lawsuit, some plaintiffs claimed they received targeted advertisements after having private conversations about specific brands, with one plaintiff alleging they received an ad for a medical treatment following a confidential discussion with a doctor. These allegations raised serious concerns about user privacy and the extent of data collection through voice assistants.
Apple's Response
Throughout the proceedings, Apple has maintained that Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. The company responded to the initial 2019 revelations by issuing an apology and implementing changes to its data handling practices, including stopping the retention of user recordings and limiting data sharing with third parties. By agreeing to the settlement, Apple aims to resolve the case without admitting any wrongdoing, allowing the company to move beyond these privacy concerns.
How to Submit a Claim
Users who believe they qualify for compensation must submit their claims by July 2, 2025. The process requires visiting the official settlement website and providing personal information, including name, address, and the email associated with their Apple ID. Claimants will also need to provide either proof of purchase or the serial number and model name of each device they're claiming for. Most importantly, users must declare under oath that they experienced at least one unintended Siri activation during a private or confidential conversation within the covered period.
Final Approval and Distribution
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for August 1, 2025, when the court will determine if the agreement is fair, reasonable and adequate. After this hearing and the July 2 claims deadline, the settlement administrator will calculate and distribute payments to eligible claimants. The case highlights the ongoing tension between advancing voice assistant technology and protecting user privacy, a challenge that continues to face technology companies as these AI-powered tools become increasingly integrated into our daily lives.