Apple users can now claim their share of $95 million Siri spying settlement

TL;DR: Apple customers in the United States who owned Siri-enabled devices between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, can now claim a share of a $95 million settlement. The payout stems from a class action lawsuit alleging that Apple’s Siri voice assistant recorded private conversations without user consent and sometimes shared those recordings with third-party contractors.

While Apple claims they settled the case to avoid further litigation, the agreement marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over digital privacy and the responsibilities of technology companies to protect user data. Although Apple has reiterated its commitment to user privacy, the case underscores the challenges of balancing innovation in voice technology with effective privacy safeguards.

Eligible device owners can now submit claims through this website dedicated to the matter. The settlement covers a range of Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Macs, HomePods, iPod touches, and Apple TVs. Claimants must attest under oath that Siri was unintentionally activated on each device for which they seek compensation. Each approved claim is capped at $20 per device, with a maximum of five devices per claimant.

The controversy emerged in 2019, when reports revealed that contractors tasked with evaluating Siri’s performance occasionally overheard highly personal conversations, including private discussions and intimate moments.

A lawsuit was filed accusing Apple of violating user privacy by capturing audio from unintended Siri activations-instances when the voice assistant was triggered accidentally, often without the user saying the “Hey, Siri” wake phrase.

The lawsuit included claims from plaintiffs who reported seeing targeted advertisements after discussing specific brands in private, and one plaintiff alleged receiving an ad for a medical treatment following a confidential conversation with a healthcare professional.

Apple responded to the controversy by issuing a formal apology and pledging to change its data handling practices. The company promised to stop retaining user recordings and limit sharing such data with third parties.

However, Apple denied the allegations that it allowed advertisers to target users based on Siri data and did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. In January 2025, the company agreed to the $95 million payout to resolve the case and move beyond the privacy concerns it had raised.

The claims process is open until July 2, 2025. While some eligible users have received direct notification with a claim identification code, anyone who believes they qualify can apply, regardless of whether they received a formal notice.

Once the claims deadline passes, the court will finalize the settlement and determine the final payout per device, which may vary depending on the total number of claims submitted.