Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit concerning its Siri voice assistant. The lawsuit alleged that Siri inadvertently recorded users’ private conversations without their consent through accidental activations. This settlement offers eligible Apple users in the United States the opportunity to claim compensation.
The class-action lawsuit, known as Lopez v. Apple Inc., was initiated in 2019 following reports that Siri could be unintentionally activated, leading to the recording of private conversations. These recordings were allegedly reviewed by third-party contractors for quality control purposes. Plaintiffs claimed that such practices violated user privacy, especially when sensitive information was involved.
To be eligible for compensation, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Owned or purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
- Experienced at least one unintended Siri activation during a private or confidential conversation.
Eligible devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, and Apple TVs.
Affected users can submit their claims through the official settlement website, LopezVoiceAssistantSettlement.com. The deadline for submitting claims is July 2, 2025.
Users who received a notice via email or postcard will have a claim ID and confirmation code to expedite the process. Those who did not receive such a notice can still file a claim by providing necessary information, including proof of device ownership and details about the unintended Siri activation.
Claimants can receive up to $20 per eligible device, with a maximum of five devices per person, totaling up to $100. However, the final payout may vary depending on the number of valid claims submitted. If the total claims exceed the settlement fund, individual payouts may be reduced accordingly.
Final Approval and Payment Timeline
A final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025. If the settlement is approved and no appeals are filed, payments are expected to be distributed shortly thereafter. Claimants can choose to receive their compensation via check, e-check, or direct deposit.
While Apple has agreed to the settlement, the company denies any wrongdoing. Apple maintains that Siri was designed with user privacy in mind and that any data collected was used solely to improve the service. Following the initial reports in 2019, Apple made changes to its policies, including making the review of Siri recordings an opt-in feature.
This settlement underscores the growing concerns over digital privacy and the responsibilities of tech companies in handling user data. It serves as a reminder for users to be aware of their device settings and for companies to prioritize transparency and user consent in their data practices.
Eligible Apple users who experienced unintended Siri activations have until July 2, 2025, to submit their claims for compensation. This settlement represents a significant step in addressing privacy concerns associated with voice-activated technologies.
