Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to compensate users whose private conversations were inadvertently recorded by its Siri voice assistant. The settlement, still awaiting judicial approval, stems from allegations that Siri activated without a deliberate wake word and captured confidential discussions, some of which were later overheard by human contractors.
Who qualifies?
The settlement applies to US-based users who owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Eligible devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, and Apple TVs. Claimants must swear under oath that Siri accidentally activated during a private or confidential conversation.
What’s the payout?
Claimants can receive up to $20 per device, capped at five devices. However, the actual amount depends on the number of people who apply.
This lawsuit traces back to a 2019 report by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple contractors were listening to snippets of Siri recordings, including sensitive conversations. Apple apologized, ended the practice of retaining audio recordings for quality control, and implemented changes to enhance user privacy.
Apple isn’t alone in facing such lawsuits. Similar privacy concerns have been raised against Amazon and Google over their voice assistants.
If you’re eligible, stay tuned for updates on how to claim your share of the settlement.