(Nexstar) – Have you ever thought about whether Siri is listening in on your conversations? You know, that moment when you chat about shoes or restaurants and then suddenly see targeted ads pop up? Well, there’s been a recent settlement reached in a class action lawsuit regarding this issue.
In a $95 million settlement, the case originated from claims by Fumiko Lopez, a California resident. She alleged that Siri could activate itself without user consent and record conversations. The lawsuit pointed out that these recordings were shared with third parties and included sensitive information, including discussions about medical issues and other private matters, as reported by a news outlet.
Two individuals involved in the lawsuit noted they received targeted ads for Air Jordan shoes and Olive Garden after casual conversation near Siri-enabled devices. It’s kind of unsettling, isn’t it? Reuters reported those claims.
Apple has denied any wrongdoing in this matter. The company mentioned to Nexstar that “Siri is designed to protect user privacy from the start,” but still opted to settle for $95 million.
Are You Eligible for Compensation?
To qualify, you must have used an Apple device with Siri between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Additionally, “confidential communications” must have been “acquired by Apple and/or shared with a third party due to unintended Siri activation.”
You may have already received a notification, either through email or a postcard, indicating you might be eligible. These communications should have an identification code and a verification code for claiming your payment.
If you haven’t received anything but believe you might be eligible, you can visit the settlement website to submit a request.
How to Submit a Request
If you’ve received a notification regarding the Siri settlement, you can enter your required code online. That’s the way to go.
If you are eligible and did not receive any codes, the administrators suggest that you can file a new claim on the website. You’ll need to fill out a form with contact details and information about your potentially affected device.
In this case, including an email linked to the device and proof of purchase, like a receipt, will be necessary. If you don’t have proof, you will need to provide the device’s serial number and model instead.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect?
The settlement amounts to $95 million overall; however, individual payouts will likely vary. You can claim for up to five Siri-enabled devices that you think may have recorded private conversations.
Eligible devices include:
- iPhone
- iPad
- Apple Watches
- MacBooks
- iMacs
- HomePod
- iPod touch
- Apple TV
Settlement officials estimate compensation could be up to $20 for each qualifying device, potentially totaling $100 for five devices. However, actual payments may be adjusted based on the number of valid claims received.
It’s reported that tens of millions might be eligible for this settlement, according to Reuters.
Filing a Request and Payment Timeline
The current deadline for filing claims is July 2, 2025. This date also marks the last day for opting out or opposing the settlement.
A final hearing is set for August 1, 2025, which means approved payments are likely not to be distributed until later in the year.
