If you’ve used an Apple device over the past ten years, you may soon see a deposit in your bank account.
The tech giant has agreed to a $95 million settlement following a class action lawsuit. The case originated in 2019 when two iPhone users claimed that Apple’s Siri voice assistant had been eavesdropping on their private conversations. Apple settled the lawsuit to avoid further legal issues, despite denying any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit accused Apple of collecting conversations from Siri users through "unintended activations" and sharing that data with third parties. The plaintiffs, who mentioned products like Air Jordan sneakers and Olive Garden, noticed they were receiving targeted ads for items they had only discussed privately. Others, including one who had spoken with his doctor, also reported seeing ads related to private conversations.
Who qualifies for the Apple lawsuit?
To qualify for a payout, you must have owned a device with Siri functionality between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. This includes iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs. Tens of millions of people are believed to be affected by the lawsuit. To confirm eligibility, individuals received emails and postcards with instructions.
Those who didn’t get notifications but believe they’re eligible were encouraged to apply during the application period in May and July of last year.
How much can you claim from the Apple lawsuit?
The amount you can claim depends on how many Siri-enabled devices you owned during the relevant period. Users are entitled to receive up to $20 per device, with a maximum payout of $100 for five devices.
Payments have already started, with amounts ranging from $8 to $40, depending on individual circumstances. These payments are being issued under the reference "Lopez Voice Assistant," named after the 2019 lawsuit. Keep an eye on your bank account in the coming weeks to see if you're one of the lucky recipients.