Apple to Pay $95M to Settle Siri Privacy Class Action
Table of Contents
Introduction
On May 2, 2025, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a proposed class action lawsuit accusing its Siri voice assistant of unintentionally recording private conversations and sharing them with third parties. The preliminary settlement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, awaits final approval by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, Lopez et al. v. Apple Inc. (Case No. 4:19-cv-04577), was originally filed in 2019. Plaintiffs alleged that Siri’s “Hey Siri” feature caused devices to record ambient audio without user invocation, and that Apple contractors reviewed those clips as part of quality assessments. Apple denied any wrongdoing but issued an apology in 2019 and pledged to cease retaining user audio for evaluation.
Settlement Terms
- Settlement Fund: $95 million
- Class Period: September 17, 2014 – December 31, 2024
- Devices Covered: Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, HomePod, iPod touch, and Apple TV
- Compensation: Up to $20 per device for a maximum of five devices ($100 cap per claimant)
- Attorney Fees & Expenses: Up to $28.5 million in fees plus $1.1 million in expenses, subject to court approval
- Final Approval Hearing: Scheduled for August 1, 2025
- Claims Deadline: July 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT
How to File a Claim
- Visit the official settlement website: www.lopezvoiceassistantsettlement.com.
- Enter your Notice ID and Confirmation Code if provided. If not, proceed without codes.
- Provide contact information and device details (up to five devices).
- Attest under penalty of perjury that Siri activated unintentionally during a private conversation.
- Choose electronic payment (ACH or PayPal) or request a mailed check.
- Submit online or mail the completed claim form by July 2, 2025.
Implications for User Privacy
This settlement highlights ongoing concerns over voice assistant privacy. While Apple has updated Siri to reduce accidental activations and halted third-party audio reviews, the case underscores the importance of transparent data practices and robust user consent mechanisms.
Personal Take
As a daily Siri user, I appreciate Apple’s willingness to address privacy concerns and compensate affected users. However, the $20-per-device cap feels modest given the sensitivity of recorded conversations. Moving forward, I hope Apple accelerates on-device processing for Siri to minimize reliance on cloud reviews.
Conclusion
The $95 million Siri settlement represents a significant step in holding tech companies accountable for privacy oversights. Affected users have until July 2, 2025, to submit claims, and the settlement requires final court approval in August. This case sets a precedent for how voice assistant platforms balance innovation with user trust.