Apple has begun distributing payments after agreeing to settle a $95 million class action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant Siri violated user privacy. The case centered on claims that Siri was unintentionally activated and recorded private conversations, which were then shared with third parties, including advertisers.
The settlement could affect tens of millions of Apple users, with eligible claimants able to receive up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, such as iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, or HomePods. To qualify, users must have owned a Siri-equipped device between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, and their confidential communications must have been captured or shared due to accidental Siri activation during that period.
Settlement administrators notified qualifying users via email and postcards, though individuals who believed they were eligible were encouraged to file claims as well. Claims could be submitted for up to five devices, with final payouts depending on the total number of valid claims filed.
The lawsuit was triggered by complaints from users who said their private conversations led to targeted ads, including mentions of specific brands and services discussed in what they believed were private settings. Apple has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, stating that Siri was built with privacy protections from the outset. Nevertheless, the company agreed to the settlement, which represents a small fraction of its overall profits.