Siri Class Action Lawsuit Settlement: What You Need to Know

Last year, Apple reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning the alleged unlawful recording of conversations through Siri. This issue spans back to 2019, where Apple maintains its stance of no wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the company opted to settle as part of its effort to advance Siri’s privacy features.

Settlement Details

Claims for this settlement began to be accepted in mid-2022, and users are now beginning to receive their payouts. To qualify, individuals must have purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, and encountered instances of ‘unintended Siri activation.’

Payout Information

Each participant could submit claims for up to five devices. Initially estimated at a $95 million total settlement, users expected payouts of up to $20 per device, with a maximum of $100. However, recent reports indicate payouts are closer to $8.02 per device, with a maximum payout of $40.10. Direct deposits for the payouts initiated recently, so if you opted for a prepaid gift card or check, monitor your spam folder and mailbox for updates.

Background of the Lawsuit

This class action stems from a 2019 report by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple contractors were listening to private conversations while evaluating Siri’s performance. Apple clarified that fewer than 1% of Siri interactions were shared for quality assurance purposes, but the revelation raised significant privacy concerns among users.

Changes to Siri’s Privacy Policies

In response to these concerns, Apple has made significant changes to its privacy practices. Users are now required to opt-in for their recordings to be used for the purpose of evaluating Siri functionality, and the company no longer outsources these services, ensuring greater user control over data privacy.

Understanding Your Rights

Apple denies any wrongdoing related to the Siri recordings and affirms that such conversations are never used for marketing purposes. Furthermore, these recordings were not tied to any user’s Apple account. This situation underscores the importance of understanding your rights as a consumer, particularly in relation to privacy and data security.

Conclusion

If you are among those who have experienced unauthorized Siri activations, make sure to check your eligibility for the settlement and stay informed about future updates from Apple regarding privacy enhancements.

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