Latest news with #AppleSettlement
CNET
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Apple's Privacy Settlement Deadline Is Coming Fast. Here's How to Sign Up
If you want your cut of the settlement payout from Apple, you'll need to act fast. Viva Tung/CNET If you've ever accidentally triggered Siri and felt mildly annoyed, you're not alone. But what if that frustration could actually earn you some money? Thanks to a recent $95 million class-action settlement, Apple customers may be eligible for a payout if they've accidentally triggered Siri during a private conversation. The catch? The deadline to file a claim is quickly approaching, and time is running out. Apple agreed to the settlement after being sued for allegedly allowing Siri to listen in on private conversations without consent. Now, a claims website is live, and if you meet the criteria, you could get a piece of the payout. Whether you're a longtime iPhone user or just want to see if you're eligible, here's everything you need to know before the window closes. The settlement period covers a full decade and given the ubiquity of Apple products, there's a good chance you'll be eligible for a piece of the payout. If you meet the eligibility standards, you can claim a payment for up to five Siri-enabled devices, with a cap on how much you can receive per device. We'll get into the specific amount a little bit later. The impact of this settlement has the potential to be wide-ranging, given the reach of Apple's product ecosystem. According to a Business of Apps report from November, citing company and market research data, there were roughly 155 million active iPhones in the US as of 2024, a number that's been steadily increasing since the product's debut. Similarly, active Apple TV streaming boxes in the US have also been increasing year to year, with more than 32 million active in the US as of 2023. To find out if you're eligible for this settlement, read on. For more, find out what's up with the recent delay of T-Mobile data breach settlement checks. Who sued Apple and why? This class action lawsuit, Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., was first brought against Apple in 2019, with plaintiffs alleging that they were routinely recorded by their Apple devices after unintentionally activating the Siri virtual assistant, violating their privacy in the process. They further alleged that these recordings were then sold to advertisers and used to target them with ads online. Specific incidents mentioned in the suit include plaintiffs seeing ads online for brands like Air Jordan and Olive Garden after Apple device users discussed them out loud. In some instances, plaintiffs claimed that their devices began listening to them without them having said anything at all. At least one plaintiff involved in the case was a minor when it was first filed. Though it agreed to the settlement, Apple hasn't admitted any wrongdoing. "Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning," Apple said in a statement sent to CNET. "Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri and we are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private." Who is eligible for this class action settlement? The eligibility requirements for this settlement are fairly broad, as it's open to anyone who owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024. In order to opt in, you'll have to swear under oath that at some point during that period, you accidentally activated Siri on each device you want to get a payment for, and that these activations occurred during a conversation meant to be private. Siri-enabled devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV streaming boxes, HomePod speakers and iPod Touches. How can I opt in to this Apple settlement? As of Thursday, May 8, a website has been launched where Apple customers can claim a portion of the settlement, if they believe they qualify. If you're looking to submit a claim, you have until July 2, 2025, to do so. It's not clear at this time when payments will be disbursed to approved claimants but it will surely be sometime after Aug. 1, 2025, when a final approval hearing is scheduled. How much can I get from the class action settlement? Payments per device are to be capped at $20, although depending on how many people opt in to the settlement, claimants could receive less than that. Each individual can only claim payments for up to five devices, meaning the maximum possible payment you could receive from the settlement is $100. For more on Apple, see why a majority of users don't care for Apple Intelligence and find out which iOS setting can stop apps from tracking you.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Apple's Siri Settlement Could Mean Cash for You—Here's How
An unexpected email about something called the "Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement" might be sitting in your inbox. If it is, you could be entitled to a piece of a $95 million payout from Apple. The message isn't a scam, but rather the result of a five-year-old lawsuit alleging the tech giant's virtual assistant, Siri, was eavesdropping on private conversations. Filed under the case name Lopez v. Apple Inc., the suit accused Apple of allowing Siri to activate unintentionally, listening in on users without consent across a range of devices, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and HomePods, between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024. Apple has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle earlier this year. Consumers who owned a Siri-enabled device during that timeframe and experienced what they believe to be unintended voice assistant activation may be eligible for compensation. Some people received email or postcard notices that include a claim identification and confirmation code. But even if you didn't get a notification, you can still file a claim by visiting the settlement's official website and entering your eligible devices manually. You'll need the model and serial numbers of up to five Siri-enabled products, and you can choose to receive payment via check, e-check, or direct deposit. If you're approved, the payout could be up to $20 per Siri device, depending on how many valid claims are filed. The deadline to submit a claim is July 2. Final approval of the settlement is scheduled for a hearing on Aug. 1, and payments will begin once the court signs off and any appeals are resolved. The settlement highlights ongoing scrutiny of how smart devices handle voice data. With Siri-enabled products potentially recording unintended audio, eligible users may now be able to file a claim based on when and how they used their devices. If you owned a Siri-capable Apple product between 2014 and 2024, it's worth checking your email—or the claim site.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Apple paying $95 million in a Siri eavesdropping settlement. Here's how to file a claim.
Consumers who own a Siri-enabled device — including iPhones, MacBooks and AppleTVs — may be eligible to file a financial claim as part of Apple's $95 million settlement over allegations that the voice assistant eavesdropped on them. The settlement stems from a 2021 lawsuit filed by Fumiko Lopez, a California resident who owned several Apple devices, and other consumers who alleged Siri listened to private or confidential conversations. Those discussions were then allegedly shared with third-party businesses, such as restaurants and clothing brands, that then targeted Lopez and other consumers with ads in Apple search and its Safari web browser, the lawsuit claims. "Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful," the settlement website states. While Apple agreed to the settlement earlier this year, consumers can now file claims to get a piece of the $95 million agreement. Here's what to know. Who is eligible to make a claim? People who owned Siri-enabled iPhones and other Apple devices between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024, and who "experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication," are eligible to file a claim, according to the settlement website. Those devices include: iPhone iPad Apple Watch MacBook iMac HomePod iPod touch Apple TV How much could I get from the Apple settlement? It will depend on how many people file claims, but the settlement website notes that there's a cap of $20 per Siri-enabled device. That means a consumer who owns an iPhone, a MacBook and Apple Watch could receive as much as $60, for instance. You can file a claim for up to five Siri-enabled devices, for a maximum payout of $100, according to the settlement site. How do I file a claim? Some consumers received an email or postcard notifying them of the Apple settlement, along with a claim ID number and confirmation code. Recipients of those emails or postcards can use the claim ID and confirmation code to submit a claim at the settlement site by July 2, 2025. But if you didn't get an email or postcard but believe you qualify for the settlement, you can still file by clicking on "new claim" on the same link. You'll be prompted to enter info such as your name, address and proof of purchase of the Apple device that qualifies you for the settlement. When could I get the settlement payment? Not until later this year at the earliest. The settlement's final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, at 9 a.m., but there could be an appeal that would delay the payout, the settlement website notes. "If there is no appeal, your settlement benefit will be processed promptly. Please be patient," it states. How would I receive the payment? When you submit your claim, you'll be asked if you want the payment to be sent via physical check, e-check or direct deposit.
CNET
10-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
How to File a Claim for Your Share of Apple's $95 Million Siri Privacy Settlement
A class-action suit alleged that Siri sessions were recorded and sold. Viva Tung/CNET Years after it was initially sued for allegedly having voice assistant Siri listen in on conversations, Apple at the start of 2025 opted to settle the class-action suit to the tune of $95 million. Now, some of that money could be yours, as a claims website has officially been launched. Here's everything you'll need to know. The settlement period covers a full decade, and given the ubiquity of Apple products, there's a good chance you'll be eligible for a piece of the payout. If you meet the eligibility standards, you can claim a payment for up to five Siri-enabled devices, with a cap on how much you can receive per device. We'll get into the specific amount a little bit later. The impact of this settlement has the potential to be wide-ranging, given the reach of Apple's product ecosystem. According to a Business of Apps report from November, citing company and market research data, there were roughly 155 million active iPhones in the US as of 2024, a number that's been steadily increasing since the product's debut. Similarly, active Apple TV streaming boxes in the US have also been increasing year to year, with over 32 million active in the US as of 2023. To find out if you're eligible for this settlement, read on. For more, find out what's up with the recent delay of T-Mobile data breach settlement checks. Who sued Apple and why? This class action lawsuit, Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., was first brought against Apple in 2019, with plaintiffs alleging that they were routinely recorded by their Apple devices after unintentionally activating the Siri virtual assistant, violating their privacy in the process. They further alleged that these recordings were then sold to advertisers and used to target them with ads online. Specific incidents mentioned in the suit include plaintiffs seeing ads online for brands like Air Jordan and Olive Garden after Apple device users discussed them out loud. In some instances, plaintiffs claimed that their devices began listening to them without them having said anything at all. At least one plaintiff involved in the case was a minor when it was first filed. Though it agreed to the settlement, Apple hasn't admitted any wrongdoing. "Siri has been engineered to protect user privacy from the beginning," Apple said in a statement sent to CNET. "Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles and it has never been sold to anyone for any purpose. Apple settled this case to avoid additional litigation so we can move forward from concerns about third-party grading that we already addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri, and we are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private." Who is eligible for this class action settlement? The eligibility requirements for this settlement are fairly broad, as it's open to anyone who owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024. In order to opt in, you'll have to swear under oath that at some point during that period, you accidentally activated Siri on each device you want to get a payment for, and that these activations occurred during a conversation meant to be private. Siri-enabled devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV streaming boxes, HomePod speakers and iPod Touches. How can I opt in to this Apple settlement? As of Thursday, May 8, a website has been launched where Apple customers can claim a portion of the settlement, if they believe they qualify. If you're looking to submit a claim, you have from now until July 2, 2025, to do so. It's not clear at this time when payments will be disbursed to approved claimants, but it will surely be sometime after August 1, 2025, when a final approval hearing is scheduled. How much can I get from the class action settlement? Payments per device are to be capped at $20, though depending on how many people opt in to the settlement, claimants could receive less than that. Each individual can only claim payments for up to five devices, meaning the maximum possible payment you could receive from the settlement is $100. For more on Apple, see why a majority of users don't care for Apple Intelligence and find out which iOS setting can stop apps from tracking you.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bought an Apple device in the past 10 years? You could be owed money. Here's how to claim it.
is paying out $95 million to people who have bought an Apple device in the last 10 years. To qualify, you must believe Siri listened in on a conversation without your consent. Eligible claimants are being sent emails and postcards, but you can make a claim on your own. Back in January, Apple agreed to settle a case over its Siri digital assistant. Now it's your turn to get some of that money. Claims are now being accepted for the class-action suit. To qualify, you need to have purchased an Apple device in the past 10 years—specifically an "iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch or Apple TV" between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. You'll also have to believe that Siri activated on that device during a private conversation without your consent. Apple settled a lawsuit that alleged it was capturing sensitive information via Siri without users' knowledge and approval. People who are known to be eligible to be included in the settlement will receive either an email or a postcard with information about how to make a claim and individual codes to do so. If you don't receive one, you can head to the settlement's webpage to submit a new claim. You have until July 2, 2025 to file your claim. While $95 million is a big pool, don't expect to pocket a ton of money from this. As you might imagine, the claim pool is fairly large, given the popularity of Apple devices and the sizable buy-in period. Most claimants will receive about $20 per device. This story was originally featured on
