Apple's voice assistant Siri was activated without commands and recorded sensitive conversations - recordings that were also allegedly shared with other companies.
Now users in the US can get compensation – even if it's relatively small amounts.
Technology giant Apple was caught in the crossfire after it was discovered that its voice assistant, Siri, recorded private conversations without users' knowledge. The company has agreed to pay $95 million in a settlement reached in December last year, following a class action lawsuit alleging privacy violations.
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 by California resident Fumiko Lopez along with other Apple users. They stated that Siri-enabled devices recorded conversations without users first intentionally activating the voice assistant by saying "Hello, Siri" or pressing the side button.
According to the allegations, the recordings were not only used to improve Siri, but were also shared with third-party contractors and other actors – without users' consent. It is also alleged that the information was used for targeted advertising, in violation of both US privacy laws and Apple's own privacy policy.
However, Apple has consistently denied the allegations and claims that its actions were neither "wrong nor illegal". However, paying such a large sum to avoid further litigation has raised questions about what may have been hidden from the public.
Users can claim compensation
Individuals who owned a Siri-enabled Apple product – such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch or Apple TV – between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024, and who live in the United States or a U.S. territory, may now be entitled to compensation.
However, to qualify, one must certify that Siri was inadvertently activated during a call that was intended to be private or confidential.
The reimbursement applies to up to five devices, with a cap of $20 per device – totaling up to $100 per person. The exact amount per user will be determined once all claims have been processed.
Applications must be submitted by July 2, 2025, and those eligible may have already received an email or physical letter with an identification code and confirmation code. Those who haven't received anything but still think they qualify can instead apply for reimbursement via the settlement's website – if you provide the model and serial number of your devices.
How to protect yourself from future interception
Users who want to strengthen their privacy can limit Siri's access themselves in the settings:
- Turn off Improve Siri: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and disable Improve Siri & Dictation.
- Delete Siri history: Go to Settings > Siri > Siri & Dictation History and select Delete Siri & Dictation History.
- Turn off Siri completely: Go to Settings > Siri > Listen for "Hey Siri", turn it off, then go to Settings > General > Keyboard and disable Enable Dictation.
Apple describes more privacy settings on its website, such as how to restrict Siri's access to location data or third-party apps. But in the wake of the scandal, critics say that you shouldn't blindly trust companies' promises of data protection – and that the only way to truly protect your privacy is to take matters into your own hands.
