Apple Inc. has begun accepting compensation claims from U.S. users as part of a $95 million settlement related to a long-running class-action lawsuit over unintended Siri voice assistant activations. The settlement, finalized in January 2025, resolves allegations that Apple violated user privacy by recording private conversations without consent.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
Individuals residing in the United States who used Siri and experienced accidental activations of the virtual assistant between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, are eligible to submit claims for compensation. The size of each payout will depend on how many people submit claims, but early estimates suggest users could receive up to $50 each. The claim filing process is now open through the official settlement website, and users must apply by a specific deadline (to be announced on the site) to be considered. Claimants may be required to verify their Apple ID or provide proof of Siri use during the eligible period.
Background: The Siri Privacy Lawsuit
The issue stems from a 2019 class-action lawsuit filed in California, where plaintiffs accused Apple of violating privacy laws by allegedly recording users without their knowledge. According to the lawsuit, Siri was often triggered by mistake — even when users didn’t say “Hey Siri” — and began recording audio that sometimes included sensitive or personal information. Users claimed that these accidental recordings were stored and, in some cases, shared with third-party contractors, who were tasked with grading Siri’s voice recognition performance. The suit argued that Apple failed to clearly disclose this practice, potentially putting private data at risk.
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Apple’s Response and Policy Revisions
Although Apple denied any wrongdoing, the company acknowledged that some recordings were retained and reviewed by external contractors. In 2019, following public backlash and media coverage, Apple issued an official apology and promised to revamp its privacy practices. Apple made several key changes, including:
- Giving users the option to opt out of Siri recordings being used for quality control.
- Deleting previously collected recordings associated with accidental activations.
- Ensuring all Siri data used for analysis would be reviewed by Apple employees only, not third-party contractors.
The company emphasized that user privacy remains a core value of its business model and committed to more transparent policies around data handling.
What This Means for Apple and Consumers
This settlement marks a rare privacy-related payout from Apple, a company that has long positioned itself as a champion of user privacy compared to competitors like Google or Amazon. However, the Siri incident highlights the complexity of voice recognition technologies and the privacy risks they can pose when improperly managed. Privacy advocates see the settlement as a small victory for consumer rights, emphasizing the need for greater transparency in how tech companies collect, store, and analyze user data. Legal experts say this case could set a precedent for future voice assistant litigation, as similar issues have emerged involving Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.
How to Submit a Claim
Eligible users can file their claims online through the official settlement website, which provides step-by-step instructions and answers to frequently asked questions. Those affected should keep an eye on the deadline, as late submissions will not be considered.For many users, the payout may be modest, but the case serves as a reminder that even trusted tech giants must be held accountable for lapses in privacy and data security.
Reference: CBS NEWS
