Apple has settled a class action lawsuit concerning unintentional activations of Siri that occurred between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. As a result of this settlement, individuals who used Siri during this period may be eligible for financial compensation.
The lawsuit arose after revelations in 2019 that Apple contractors had access to recordings of private conversations caused by accidental Siri activations. These activations happened when devices misinterpreted sounds as the “Hey Siri” command, capturing snippets of users’ conversations. A whistleblower later detailed instances where sensitive discussions, including medical information and private matters, were inadvertently recorded and reviewed by Apple employees for quality control purposes.
In light of these findings, Apple faced accusations of unlawfully recording private communications without consent. After lengthy legal proceedings, the company agreed to a settlement amounting to $95 million earlier this year.
For those interested in claiming their share of the payout, a claims registration website has been established. Individuals who experienced unintentional activations during the specified timeframe may submit their claims. Although the compensation for each Siri device is capped at $20 (with a maximum of five devices eligible, totaling $100), the final amount may vary depending on the total number of claims submitted.
The deadline for submitting claims is July 2, providing affected users with the opportunity to receive a financial acknowledgment of their privacy concerns.
This settlement could serve as a reminder for tech companies to prioritize user privacy and transparency, encouraging them to establish stronger protocols surrounding data handling and user communications in the future.