Apple just settled a class-action lawsuit for $95 million and every user of a Siri-enabled Apple device could be entitled to a maximum of $20 per device, with up to five eligible device per user. This means you could get up to $100 from Cupertino if a judge approves the deal.
Siri Was Violating Your Privacy
The lawsuit began when a whistleblower reported toThe Guardianthat Apple’s third-party contractors “regularly hear confidential details” on Siri recordings. Siri is Apple’s voice assistant, and it’s activated when you say “Hey, Siri” or “Siri” (unless youreverted it to just “Hey, Siri”to avoid accidental activations). However, Siri’s voice activation isn’t perfect, and it sometimes mistakes a similar sound as an activation command.
To help improve this, Apple told The Guardian that a small portion (less than 1%) of Siri activations are sent to “secure facilities” for analysis, and that the reviewers listening to these snippets are “under the obligation to adhere to Apple’s strict confidentiality requirements.” And while the company says that the data sent to the reviewers aren’t liked to your Apple ID and any other identifiable information, the whistleblower said otherwise.
“There have been countless instances of recordings featuring private discussions between doctors and patients, business deals, seemingly criminal dealings, sexual encounters, and so on,” said the whistleblower. They also added, “These recordings are accompanied by user data showing location, contact details, and app data.”
How Much Could You Actually Get?
Apple has settled the lawsuit for $95 million without admitting any wrongdoing, according to a report byThe Verge. If a judge accepts the settlement, the case won’t have to go to trial anymore, and anyone in the U.S. who owned an eligible Apple device from June 06, 2025, to June 21, 2025, could file a claim. These devices include the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV.
Aside from owning one of the listed devices in the prescribed timeline, you also have to swear under oath that you have accidentally turned on Siri during a private conversation to be eligible for the payoff. However, note that the settlement is still pending judicial approval and that the $20 payout per device with a limit of five devices per person is only the maximum amount you could get—it could be smaller depending on the number of claimants.
Once a judge approves the settlement deal, the court would then appoint a neutral third party to identify all class members and distribute the settlement fund. The appointed administrator would usually send a notice to all eligible claimants, but they will also typically publish public notices for those who might be eligible but aren’t listed.
So, you’ll have to wait until the court would release all these details before you can start sending in your claims. In the meantime, you might want toturn off Siri on your Apple deviceif you want retain your privacy.
