Latest news with #Siri-enabled
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Apple's $95M Siri settlement: How to check if you are eligible for a payment
Inc. has reached a $95 million settlement in a class action lawsuit involving claims that its Siri-enabled devices recorded users' private conversations without their knowledge or consent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, accused Apple of violating consumer privacy rights through unintended activations of the Siri voice assistant. While Apple has denied any wrongdoing, it has agreed to resolve the matter through a nationwide settlement affecting millions of users. The case, titled Lopez v. Apple Inc., is of major significance as it highlights growing concerns over the misuse of voice recognition technologies and the collection of personal data by smart devices. Consumers who owned or used Siri-enabled Apple products between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, may be eligible for compensation, pending final approval of the settlement. The settlement is currently awaiting final approval from a federal court, with a hearing scheduled for August 1, 2025. In the meantime, affected users are encouraged to review their eligibility and submit claims by the designated deadline. Here's a breakdown of everything consumers need to know. Apple faces lawsuit over Siri recording private conversations The class action lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California in March 2021. Plaintiffs alleged that Apple's Siri voice assistant was inadvertently activated during private conversations and recorded sensitive information. These recordings, according to the complaint, were allegedly shared with third parties, including contractors hired by Apple to help improve voice recognition accuracy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The lawsuit cited a 2019 investigative report published by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple's contractors routinely overheard personal details, including medical discussions, business deals, and intimate interactions. Although Apple stated at the time that only a small subset of anonymized recordings was used for Siri improvement, the report raised major privacy concerns. Apple accused of monetising Siri recordings without consent The plaintiffs argued that the unintentional activation of Siri resulted in violations of privacy laws and consumer protection statutes. They alleged that: Private and confidential conversations were recorded without consent. These recordings were used to target users with personalized advertisements. Users were unaware their devices were listening, even without using the activation phrase "Hey Siri." Examples provided in the lawsuit included users seeing ads for products shortly after verbally discussing them, even without initiating a Siri command. The complaint claimed that the data captured through Siri was monetized in ways that were not disclosed to the users. Apple Siri users may be eligible for compensation: Check if you are eligible Consumers in the United States and its territories who meet the following conditions may be eligible for compensation under the proposed settlement: Owned or purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Enabled Siri on that device. Experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication. Eligible claimants do not need to prove that their conversations were recorded, only that they used Siri-enabled devices during the specified time period and encountered unintended activations. iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more: Devices eligible for Siri privacy payout The settlement applies to a broad range of Apple products equipped with Siri. Eligible devices include: iPhones iPads Apple Watches MacBooks iMacs iPod Touches Apple TV streaming boxes HomePod smart speakers Claimants may submit requests for up to five devices per person. How much money will you get in the Apple's Siri settlement case According to the settlement website, eligible participants may receive up to $20 per device, but the final amount is subject to several factors, including: The total number of valid claims submitted. The number of devices claimed per individual. Court approval of the settlement and the absence of successful appeals. Since the settlement fund is capped at $95 million, the actual amount disbursed per device could be lower if a large number of claims are filed. Siri Settlement: How and when to file your claim by July 2025 Claimants have until July 2, 2025, to file their requests for compensation. There are two primary methods for submitting a claim: Online : Visit the official website: If you received a mailed or emailed notice, use the provided claim ID and confirmation code. If you did not receive a notice, you can still submit a claim using an alternative form on the site. : Visit the official website: Mail: A printable version of the form is available on the website and can be mailed to the address listed. Users also have the option to opt out of the settlement if they wish to retain the right to pursue individual legal action or object to the terms of the agreement. When will payments be sent The exact payment timeline depends on final court approval. The next hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, during which a judge will determine whether to finalize the settlement. If the settlement is approved without appeal, payments may be processed soon after the hearing. If the decision is appealed, disbursement of funds could be delayed by several months or longer. Users can stay updated on the status of the case by regularly visiting the official settlement website. Apple's response and position Apple has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that Siri is designed with user privacy in mind. The company stated that the purpose of any data collection is strictly to improve Siri's functionality and that audio recordings are only reviewed with user consent. Apple further emphasized that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability. As part of broader efforts to enhance user trust, Apple has implemented new privacy measures in recent iOS updates, including on-device processing for certain Siri commands and greater transparency about how voice data is handled. Key deadlines to remember Claim submission deadline: July 2, 2025 Final approval hearing: August 1, 2025 Also read | Elon Musk was a Microsoft intern! He remembers it in conversation with Satya Nadella
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
In Apple's $95 million settlement, a payout for users
Apple may owe its various users across the globe some money. In the landmark case against the tech company, Apple's voice assistant Siri and its accidental activations has resulted in private conversations being recorded without consent. While Apple has denied the allegations against it, it agreed to a settlement and now Apple users of Siri-enabled devices may be eligible for a payout. In the 2019 case of Lopez v Apple Inc, it was revealed that Siri would activate without user input and record private and sensitive conversations. As per the lawsuit, this data was then allegedly used by Apple and its partners for personalized and targeted advertising. While Apple has denied the allegations against it, it agreed to a settlement and now Apple users of Siri-enabled devices may be eligible for a payout. Apple stated that it has "never used Siri data to build marketing profiles, never sold it, and never made it available for advertising." Apple settled the case in January 2025. However, users received emails from the company with the subject line 'Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement." As per a report by The Verge, this email was sent to users of Siri-enabled devices and are eligible for the payout. Any Apple user who has owned a Siri-enabled device such as Phone, iPad, Apple Watch, HomePod, or Mac in the United States from September 17, 2014 to December 31, 2024 - is eligible for part of the settlement. In case you did not receive the email but were the owner of a Siri-enabled device during the given time span, users can visit the official website - - and file their claim by July 2, 2025. The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, after which the payouts will be sent based on the court's approval. While some users could receive up to $100, many are expected to get an amount up to $20 per qualifying device due to the large number of participants in the lawsuit.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Apple settles Siri spying case for $95 million. You could be eligible for a payment
You may be eligible to receive a payment through a recent $95 million class action lawsuit if you've owned at least one Apple device since 2014. The lawsuit, Lopez v. Apple Inc., was filed in a California federal court in 2021 by users who allege their private conversations were being recorded by their Apple devices after unintentionally activating Siri, USA TODAY reported. Although a settlement has been reached, Apple has denied the allegations made in the complaint, according to the settlement website. "If you owned or purchased a Siri-enabled device and experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, you should read this Notice as it may impact your legal rights," the website states. Here's what New Yorkers should know about the settlement. The lawsuit alleges that people's "confidential or private communications were allegedly obtained by Apple and/or shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation." Siri, a voice assistant activated by saying "Hey, Siri," can set reminders, control smart home devices and make recommendations. However, users in the class action lawsuit claim their Apple devices were recording them without their consent and subsequently sending their information to advertisers who used it to target them with online ads. Users claimed they saw ads on their phones for specific brands after discussing them aloud, and others said their devices listened to them without them having said anything at all. The initial lawsuit, filed on March 17, 2021, cites a 2019 article from The Guardian that found Apple's third-party contractors regularly heard confidential information. At the time, Apple said only a small portion of data was shared to help improve Siri and dictation. If you purchased or owned a Siri device in the U.S. or its territories between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024, enabled Siri on the device and experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private conversation, you could be eligible for compensation, according to the settlement website. The following Siri-enabled devices qualify for the settlement: iPhones iPads Apple Watches MacBooks iMacs HomePod speakers iPod Touches Apple TV streaming boxes You can submit claims for up to five Siri devices. How much will you get?: NY to send inflation refund checks Some individuals have received an email or postcard notifying them of the settlement with a claim identification code and confirmation code. If you've received that notice, you can use those codes when making your claim at However, you can still file a claim online if you haven't received those codes. You can also choose to opt out or object to the settlement. If you want to file a claim, you'll have to do so by July 2, 2025. It depends. If you submit a valid claim, you could receive up to $20 per Siri device, the settlement website says. However, the amount is subject to change depending on the total number of valid claims submitted and devices claimed. What to know: New laws in NY to make it easier to cancel subscriptions, boost privacy protections It's a bit unclear right now. There's a final approval hearing currently scheduled for Aug. 1 to decide whether the settlement will be approved. From there, the decision may be appealed, but if not, payments will be processed as soon as possible, according to the settlement website. For payment timeline updates, you can visit the website at Contributing: USA TODAY Network Emily Barnes on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network's New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@ This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Apple settles Siri spying lawsuit. Here's how iPhone owners can submit a claim
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Apple's $95 million Siri settlement: Who is eligible and how much you could receive
After being sued for allegedly allowing its voice assistant Siri to listen in on conversations, Apple decided to settle a class-action lawsuit in early 2025 for $95 million. A claims website has now been launched, allowing you to check if you're eligible for a portion of this settlement. The settlement period spans ten years, and with the widespread use of Apple products, there's a good chance you could be eligible for a payment. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can claim a payment for up to five Siri-enabled devices, although there is a cap on how much you can receive per device. More details on the specific amounts are provided below. This settlement could affect a wide range of people, given the vast reach of Apple's product ecosystem. According to a report from Business of Apps in November 2024, citing company and market research data, there were around 155 million active iPhones in the US. This number has been steadily increasing since the iPhone's release. Similarly, the number of active Apple TV streaming boxes in the US reached over 32 million by 2023. To find out if you are eligible for this settlement, read on. You can also check out the latest updates on the delay of T-Mobile's data breach settlement checks. The class action lawsuit, Lopez et al v. Apple Inc., was filed in 2019. Plaintiffs claimed that their Apple devices had been recording them without their knowledge after accidentally activating the Siri virtual assistant. This, they argued, violated their privacy. They also alleged that these recordings were then sold to advertisers and used to target them with ads. Specific incidents mentioned in the lawsuit included plaintiffs seeing ads for brands like Air Jordan and Olive Garden after discussing these brands aloud. In some cases, plaintiffs said their devices started listening without them saying anything. One of the plaintiffs was even a minor when the lawsuit was filed. While Apple has agreed to the settlement, the company has not admitted to any wrongdoing. "Siri has been designed to protect user privacy from the start," Apple said in a statement. "Siri data has never been used to create marketing profiles, nor has it been sold to anyone for any purpose. We settled this case to avoid further litigation and move on from concerns about third-party grading that we addressed in 2019. We use Siri data to improve Siri and are constantly developing new technologies to make it even more private." The settlement is open to anyone who owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between 17 September 2014 and 31 December 2024. To opt in, you must swear under oath that at some point during that period, you unintentionally activated Siri on each device you want to claim for, and that these activations happened during a private conversation. Siri-enabled devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV streaming boxes, HomePod speakers, and iPod Touches. A claims website was launched on Thursday, 8 May, where eligible Apple customers can submit a claim. You can submit your claim until 2 July 2025. It's not yet clear when payments will be issued, but it's expected to be after 1 August 2025, when a final approval hearing is scheduled. The payment per device will be capped at $20, but depending on how many people opt in, you may receive less. Each individual can claim payments for up to five devices, so the maximum possible payout is $100. For more on Apple, check out why most users don't like Apple Intelligence and learn about an iOS setting that can stop apps from tracking you.
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Apple May Owe You Money. Here's How To Get It
If you owned a Siri-enabled Apple device between 2014 and 2024 in the United States, you may be eligible for some compensation from the tech giant. It stems from Apple's $95 million settlement in the Lopez v. Apple Inc, a 2019 class action lawsuit, which alleged that Siri's accidental activations led to private conversations being recorded without consent, CNN reported. The tech giant accepted the settlement earlier this year but denied the allegations, The Verge reported. Siri-enabled devices, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches and Apple TVs, used in the US between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, are eligible for compensation. The tech giant launched its digital assistant in 2011, which is usually activated by saying "Hey Siri," or by pushing and holding the iPhone's side button. Apple and other major tech companies came under fire in 2019 when reports from The Guardian, Bloomberg and Belgian news site VRT claimed that staff behind popular digital assistants such as Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant might listen in on private conversations, according to the CNN report. In their complaint, the plaintiffs claimed that "obscure topics" from private discussions "were used by Apple and its partners to target advertisements to them." It also mentions that the company accessed their communication "without their consent" by activating Siri. In a public statement in January, Apple said that it never used Siri data to build marketing profiles, never made it available for advertising, and never sold it to anyone for any purpose. "We are constantly developing technologies to make Siri even more private and will continue to do so." Apple also said it aimed to improve privacy by reducing the amount of data collected during Siri interactions that use servers and processing requests as much as possible directly on the user's device. The email received about the settlement includes information like name, claimant identification code, confirmation code and a description of the settlement, as per The Verge. You can claim the settlement for up to $100 or $20 per device for as many as five eligible devices by July 2, 2025. You are eligible for the settlement if you've received an email with the subject line "Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement," along with a link to the lawsuit's website. To qualify for the settlement, users must submit a claim form online through the official settlement website. Claimants need to provide proof of ownership that they purchased a Siri-equipped Apple device.
