Apple reaches $95 million settlement in Siri privacy lawsuit, denying allegations of wrongdoing
Apple has recently agreed to a proposed $95 million class-action settlement related to privacy concerns about Siri inadvertently recording private conversations and sharing those recordings with third-party contractors without user consent. The lawsuit, Lopez v. Apple, filed in 2019, alleges that Siri was activated unintentionally during private conversations and that some recordings were reviewed by contractors, raising concerns about user privacy.
Key details about the settlement include:
- The settlement applies to U.S. users of Siri-enabled devices from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024.
- Eligible individuals may claim up to $20 per device, up to five devices per person.
- Apple will delete Siri audio recordings collected before October 2019.
- Apple will provide detailed instructions on opting into Siri’s “Improve Siri” program.
- The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 1, 2025, in California.
Apple denies any wrongdoing and emphasizes that it has engineered Siri to protect user privacy from the start. The company states Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles or sold for advertising. Apple settled to avoid further litigation following steps taken in 2019 to address the use of contractors for grading Siri recordings.
This settlement sets a precedent for handling digital privacy claims involving AI voice assistants and highlights wider industry scrutiny faced by companies like Amazon and Google, pushing for clearer opt-in/out policies and stronger data privacy controls.
The deadline to submit claims was July 2, 2025. Users concerned about AI listening are advised to review device privacy settings, disable always-on listening if desired, and regularly delete stored voice recordings.
It is important to note that the settlement does not admit any wrongdoing by Apple. By settling, Apple avoids the risk of a potentially larger payout from a court case. The settlement of the lawsuit does not prevent future lawsuits against Apple for similar allegations. Apple did not admit to using Siri for unauthorized recording or sharing of user data.
In the past, Apple has faced accusations of using user data for targeted advertising without consent. The company maintains its stance of no wrongdoing by settling the lawsuit. This settlement serves as a reminder for tech companies to prioritize user privacy and transparency in their practices.
[1] CNET [2] The Verge [3] Bloomberg [4] TechCrunch
- The Siri privacy class-action settlement, with Apple agreeing to a $95 million payout, raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies in regards to user privacy, especially in the business sector that relies heavily on technology and emerging AI voice assistants.
- The settlement reached in the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit, involving Siri's recording of private conversations without user consent, signifies a potential shift in the financial aspect of technology companies, as they may now face increased costs related to privacy concerns and transparency practices.
