If Siri has been triggered without your permission on an Apple device, you might be eligible for part of a $95 million settlement from a class action lawsuit.
A preliminary settlement from last year has recently received approval, allowing members of the settlement to start making payment requests.
Here are key points about the litigation and who might qualify for payments:
What is the lawsuit?
The lawsuit centers around Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, which was said to be able to activate without user consent and allegedly recorded conversations. This information was reportedly shared with third parties.
The case brought attention to instances reported by contractors who claimed that sensitive discussions—some involving doctors and personal matters—were inadvertently captured. Two plaintiffs noted they received specific ads for products they had only mentioned near their Apple devices while using Siri.
Apple’s response highlights what it claims is a commitment to user privacy. CEO Tim Cook has characterized their efforts as a battle for “basic human rights.”
An Apple spokesperson stated in January that “Siri is designed to protect users’ privacy.” They maintain that Siri data has never been for marketing purposes or sold to anyone. The company is working to improve privacy protections even further.
While Apple denies any wrongdoing, they’ve agreed to the settlement.
Who is eligible for payment?
If you’ve received an email or postcard containing a billing ID and verification code, that’s a sign you may qualify. You should check here for more information.
To be eligible, you must have used a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, and your “confidential communication” should have been unintentionally recorded and shared with others.
If you believe you qualify but haven’t received a notification, you can submit a request through the settlement website.
How do I file a claim in the Siri settlement?
If you received a postcard or email with the necessary codes, you can submit your claim online using that information. If not, the settlement administrator advises you to file a new claim. You’ll need to provide your contact details and information about the affected devices.
Make sure to include an email linked to the device and proof of purchase, like a receipt. If you don’t have that, you’ll need to provide a serial number and model for each device.
How much can I get from the settlement?
The total settlement amount is $95 million, but don’t expect a windfall.
You can claim for up to five Siri-enabled devices that you believe were unintentionally activated during private conversations.
Devices eligible include:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple Watch
- MacBook
- iMac
- HomePod
- iPod touch
- Apple TV
Settlement administrators estimate you might receive up to $20 per eligible Siri device, though this could vary depending on the number of valid claims made.
Reports suggest that potentially millions may qualify, but only a small percentage of eligible individuals are expected to file a claim.
What is the deadline for submitting a request?
The deadline to submit a request is currently set for July 2, 2025. This date also marks the final day for opting out or contesting the settlement.
A final hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, meaning that approved payments are unlikely to be distributed until later in the year.
What else should you know about the Siri settlement?
In 2019, Apple made changes to Siri to enhance privacy protections. Since then, audio recordings of Siri interactions aren’t kept, and users can help improve the service only if they consent to share their audio data, which is only available to Apple staff.
This settlement represents a fraction of the substantial profits Apple has made since 2014. It’s part of ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding potential violations of wiretapping laws.
