Between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, millions of Apple customers across the United States unknowingly experienced unintended Siri activations that captured private conversations and personal data. According to the lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California, plaintiffs allege that Siri-enabled devices including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, HomePods, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV, and iPod touch occasionally recorded sensitive discussions without any deliberate trigger, such as saying "Hey Siri" or pressing a button. Even subtle background noise, like a dog barking or a passing car horn, could prompt the voice assistant to begin recording, storing snippets of confidential information on Apple's secure servers. These inadvertent recordings may have contained personal medical details, business negotiations, legal discussions, family conversations, or other highly confidential content. While Apple maintains that it has robust privacy safeguards in place and denies any wrongdoing, the settlement agreement offers affected users an important pathway to seek compensation for these unintentional intrusions. Understanding the scope and impact of these unintended activations is critical for anyone who values digital privacy and wants to know whether they may have a claim under this settlement. Throughout this period, users who believed their devices were listening only when prompted discovered later that Siri had, in fact, recorded private moments without clear indication. This case underscores the challenges of modern voice-activated technology and the importance of clear user consent. By shining a light on the circumstances under which unintended activations occurred, the lawsuit aims to hold Apple accountable for ensuring that voice assistants respect user boundaries. The following sections will guide you through the settlement details, eligibility requirements, and step-by-step instructions to file a claim if you believe your privacy was compromised.

Apple has agreed to pay a total of $95 million into a Settlement Fund to resolve these claims. After deducting notice and administration costs, taxes, court-approved attorneys' fees and expenses, and service awards for class representatives, the remaining "Net Settlement Amount" will be distributed proportionally to eligible Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims. Claimants may receive up to $20 per affected device, with a maximum of five devices per Class Member, for a potential total benefit of up to $100 per person. Once the claim filing period ends and the number of valid claims is tallied, the final per-device amount will be calculated based on the total funds available and the aggregate number of valid claims submitted. Specifically, claim filing will open following final court approval, expected in mid-2025, and claimants will have until the July 2, 2025 deadline to submit their claim forms. In the weeks after the submission deadline, the Settlement Administrator will review and validate each claim, calculate individual payments, and mail or electronically deliver compensation according to the claimant's selected payment method. Eligible Class Members may choose to receive a physical check, electronic check, or ACH direct deposit, depending on their preferences. In addition to monetary relief, Apple will provide non-monetary benefits, including the permanent deletion of personal Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019 and, within six months of the settlement's effective date, the publication of a user-friendly web page explaining how to opt into the "Improve Siri" feature and what data Apple collects. These non-monetary measures aim to strengthen privacy protections and rebuild trust for all users moving forward.

To determine whether you qualify for a claim, you must be a current or former owner or purchaser of a Siri-enabled device who resided in the United States or its territories between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024. Siri-enabled devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, and Apple TVs. You also must have had Siri enabled on your device and experienced at least one unintended Siri activation that captured private or confidential content. If you received a notice in the mail with a unique Claimant Identification Code and Confirmation Code, you will need to provide those codes when submitting your online claim. If you did not receive such codes but believe you are eligible, you may still file a claim by providing the email address associated with your Apple ID and basic device purchase information, such as the device model and approximate purchase date. This flexibility ensures that even those who did not receive notice directly can participate in the claims process. After verifying your eligibility, you can proceed to complete the official Claim Form online or by mail. Online submissions are strongly encouraged for faster processing, while mailed forms must be postmarked by the deadline to be considered timely. Regardless of the method, the Claim Form requires you to affirm under penalty of perjury that your information is accurate. Failure to provide complete and truthful information may result in a claim being rejected or delayed. We recommend gathering all necessary details before beginning your claim to ensure a smooth submission process.

If you qualify for a claim and choose to participate, you will be taking advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to receive compensation for unintended privacy intrusions. Filing a claim not only gives you access to potential financial relief—up to $100 per Class Member for five covered devices—but also supports broader privacy advocacy by holding technology companies accountable for unintended data collection. Claims can be submitted online through the settlement website or mailed to the Settlement Administrator, as outlined in the official Notice. The deadline for both online submission and mail postmark is July 2, 2025; late claims will not be accepted. If you wish to exclude yourself from the class or object to the settlement, you must submit a written request by the same date. Opting out allows you to pursue individual legal claims outside the settlement but disqualifies you from receiving any settlement benefits. For those who remain in the class, the Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. PDT, where the Court will consider any remaining objections before granting final approval. By filing your claim promptly, you ensure your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and you stand the best chance of recovering compensation for any unintended Siri activations.