Last chance to claim $95 million in Apple’s Siri settlement

Apple has wrapped up a chapter in its history by resolving a class-action lawsuit related to its Siri voice assistant. This legal matter stemmed from allegations that Siri had divulged private conversations to advertisers due to unintended activations. Despite resolving the case earlier this year, Apple has consistently refuted any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the settlement was to halt any further legal proceedings.

The lawsuit, known as ‘Lopez vs Apple Inc’, concluded with Apple agreeing to pay out $95 million. If you owned or utilized an Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, you may be entitled to compensation. This settlement underlines the importance of a prompt response, as the deadline for submitting a claim is set for July 2. Eligible individuals may receive a maximum of $100, equating to $20 per device for up to five Siri-enabled devices.

While the amount may not be substantial, investigating your eligibility for compensation could be worthwhile if you believe that Siri unintentionally eavesdropped during your private conversations within the specified timeframe. Those impacted may have received an email titled “Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement” providing crucial details such as a ‘claimant identification code’. However, not receiving this email does not preclude you from filing a claim if you believe you qualify.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit asserted that Apple may have intercepted and disclosed confidential communications due to inadvertent Siri activations that occurred between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Apple’s response rebuts these claims, asserting that iPhones do not actively listen to individuals except when wake words like ‘Hey, Siri’ are uttered. The crux of the matter lies in the concept of “unintended Siri activation”.

Apple insisted that Siri data was never harnessed for marketing purposes or sold to external parties. The company consistently reiterated that the primary aim of collecting data was to enhance the virtual assistant’s functionality. However, as affirmed by two plaintiffs in the lawsuit, mentions of specific brands or products during private conversations allegedly led to targeted advertisements appearing subsequently. Despite these allegations, Apple remains steadfast in its denial of any misconduct, emphasizing its commitment to user privacy.

Although Apple has agreed to the settlement, the company stands firm in its position, asserting no liability or admission of guilt. This legal resolution underscores Apple’s intention to avoid prolonged legal disputes. As the lawsuit reaches its conclusion, affected individuals have until July 2 to submit their claims for potential compensation. If you believe that Siri may have breached your privacy by inadvertently eavesdropping on your conversations, you still have time to pursue a claim and be considered for a share of the settlement.