Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement: Everything You Need to Know
Table of Contents
Introduction
On May 8, 2025, U.S. Apple customers gained the ability to submit claims in the Lopez et al. v. Apple Inc. class action settlement, resolving allegations that Siri unintentionally recorded private conversations and shared them with third-party contractors. The $95 million payout offers up to $20 per eligible device for users who experienced inadvertent Siri activations between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
Background of the Lawsuit
Originally filed in 2019 in the Northern District of California (Case No. 4:19-04577), plaintiffs accused Apple of routinely recording private audio when Siri was activated accidentally and disclosing those recordings without consent. Apple denied wrongdoing but issued an apology and pledged to stop retaining user audio clips. A preliminary settlement was filed January 2, 2025, and awaits final approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
Settlement Terms
- Total Fund: $95 million
- Class Period: September 17, 2014 – December 31, 2024
- Eligible Devices: Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, HomePod, iPod touch, Apple TV
- Payout Cap: Up to $20 per device, maximum five devices per claimant
- Deadline: Submit online by 11:59 p.m. PT on July 2, 2025, or postmark claim form by that date
- Exclusions: Apple, its affiliates, employees, judicial officers on the case, and their immediate families
- Attorney Fees: Plaintiffs’ lawyers may seek up to $28.5 million in fees plus $1.1 million in expenses
How to File a Claim
- Visit the official claims website at link.
- If you received a Notice ID and Confirmation Code, enter them when prompted. Otherwise, proceed without codes.
- Provide basic contact information and the number of devices for which you experienced unintended activations (up to five).
- Attest under penalty of perjury that Siri activated unintentionally during a private conversation.
- Choose electronic claim (preferred for faster direct deposit) or download, print, and mail the PDF claim form to the Settlement Administrator.
- Submit online or mail by July 2, 2025.
Implications for User Privacy
This settlement underscores ongoing concerns over voice-assistant privacy and the importance of strict data-handling policies. While Apple has updated Siri to reduce false activations and ceased storing user audio for quality-control contractors, the case highlights that even unintentional recordings can erode user trust.
Comparison to Other Voice-Assistant Cases
A similar lawsuit against Google’s Voice Assistant remains pending in the same federal district, illustrating that privacy litigation around smart assistants is an industry-wide issue. Platforms must balance convenience with rigorous safeguards against unwanted data capture.
Personal Take
As a long-time Siri user, I appreciate Apple’s swift response to rectify privacy oversights and the opportunity for affected users to receive compensation. However, the modest cap of $20 per device feels low relative to the potential sensitivity of recorded conversations. Going forward, I hope Apple and other voice-assistant providers prioritize on-device processing and transparent activation controls to prevent such intrusions altogether.
Conclusion
The Lopez voice assistant settlement marks a landmark moment in voice-assistant privacy law. Affected users have until July 2, 2025, to claim their share of the $95 million fund. Beyond financial redress, the case serves as a reminder of the value—and vulnerability—of spoken data in an increasingly connected world.