Apple Siri Privacy Breach Class Action Settlement – See If You Qualify for a $20 Payout

Published on: May 5, 2025

Apple has agreed to pay a $95 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit accusing Siri of secretly recording private conversations. This settlement may sound massive, but for Apple, it’s just a drop in the bucket—about nine hours of profits.

Even though Apple denies any wrongdoing, it chose to settle rather than drag the legal battle out in court.

The controversy dates back to 2019 when reports revealed Siri could be triggered accidentally, capturing personal conversations without user consent.

Think of it like your smart assistant having a habit of eavesdropping whenever it hears something vaguely similar to “Hey Siri.” With privacy concerns soaring, this case has become a landmark moment in the ethical use of AI-driven devices.

Background

Between September 2014 and December 2024, users noticed that Siri sometimes woke up even when not called. These accidental activations weren’t just annoying—they potentially exposed sensitive conversations.

Whistleblowers claimed Apple contractors listened to up to 1,000 Siri recordings daily to improve quality. Shocking, right?

And it gets more intense—users said they noticed eerily relevant ads shortly after certain private conversations. While Apple denies sharing this data with advertisers, the claims sparked enough outrage to land the company in court.

Settlement

So what does the $95 million settlement cover? About $30 million of it goes to lawyers and related expenses. The remaining $65 million will be split among eligible users. If you qualify, you could get up to $20 per Siri-enabled device you used during the affected time frame.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Use of Funds	Amount
Total Settlement	$95 million
Legal Fees (Approx.)	$30 million
Payout to Users	$65 million
Max Per Device	Up to $20

That might not sound like much, but if you’ve owned multiple devices, it can add up.

Eligibility

Wondering if you’re eligible? You qualify if:

You lived in the U.S.
You owned or used a Siri-enabled device between 2014 and 2019
You submit proof of use or ownership

Here’s a quick guide to the devices and the eligibility periods:

Device	Eligible From – To
iPhone	Sept 2014 – Dec 2022
iPad	Sept 2014 – Dec 2022
MacBook	Sept 2014 – Dec 2022
Apple Watch	Apr 2015 – Dec 2022
HomePod	Feb 2018 – Dec 2022

Claimants will need to submit a form—once it’s live on the official website around February 2025—with documentation like serial numbers or receipts. The deadline to file is expected by May 15, 2025.

Apple

Apple, for its part, stands by its privacy-first reputation. They stressed that:

Siri anonymizes data before it’s reviewed.
Audio reviews were paused in 2019 and haven’t resumed without consent.
Contractors had to follow strict confidentiality guidelines.

A spokesperson emphasized, “Siri data has never been used to build marketing profiles or sold to advertisers.” Whether you believe that or not depends on how much you trust Big Tech.

Safeguards

Want to keep your conversations private going forward? Turning off Siri is a good start. Here’s how:

iPhone/iPad:

Go to Settings > Siri & Search
Toggle off Listen for “Hey Siri”
Turn off Press Home/Side for Siri

Mac:

Click the Apple logo > System Settings > Siri & Spotlight
Toggle off Ask Siri

Also, don’t forget to:

Review app permissions
Enable two-factor authentication
Regularly update your devices

These small actions can go a long way in protecting your digital privacy.

As AI and voice assistants become more common, so do the privacy risks. Apple’s settlement serves as a reminder: convenience should never come at the cost of consent.