Lopez vs. Apple: What to know about case involving Siri that triggered $95M settlement
If you've ever done a double-take after that way-too-specific ad came across your Apple device, you may be entitled to some cash.
Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement in a class-action suit that accused the tech giant of recording users' private conversations without their consent after they unintentionally activated iOS voice assistant Siri.
Lopez v. Apple was originally filed in 2021 and claims that "confidential or private communications were allegedly obtained by Apple and/or shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation." People who owned or bought certain Siri-enabled devices in the ten-year span ranging from 2014-2024 are eligible for a payout as part of the settlement, which Apple agreed to while denying wrongdoing.
Here's what to know about Lopez v. Apple and how you may be impacted.
What is the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit?
The complaint at the crux of Lopez v. Apple is a violation of privacy. The class-action lawsuit, filed in a California federal court in 2021, alleges that Apple was recording users' private conversations without consent.
The recordings allegedly happened after users accidentally activated Siri, the iconic built-in AI voice assistant that can be turned on by pushing buttons or saying "Hey, Siri" aloud. Usually, people use the "Hey, Siri" function to set reminders, send or read texts, control smart home devices and other such functions hands-free.
As any Apple user knows, however, it is easy to unintentionally activate the feature by saying "Siri" or something that sounds similar in the presence of Siri-enabled devices or by mistakenly pressing a button. The lawsuit says that consumers' confidential or private communications were allegedly obtained by Apple and then sold to third-party advertisers.
Users claimed they saw ads on their phones for specific brands after discussing them aloud, and others said their devices listened to them without them having said anything to activate Siri at all. The initial lawsuit, filed on March 17, 2021, cites a 2019 article from The Guardian that found Apple's third-party contractors regularly heard confidential information. At the time, Apple said only a small portion of data was shared to help improve Siri and dictation.
What settlement was reached in Lopez v. Apple?
Apple has denied the allegations made in the complaint, according to the legal notice obtained by USA TODAY, but ultimately agreed to a $95 million class-action settlement.
The lawsuit's FAQ page says a court hearing to approve the settlement is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 1. If the settlement amount is approved, those who claimed part of the payout will be sent their part.
Who qualifies for a settlement payment?
Customers who owned or purchased a Siri-enabled device and experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication between Sept. 17, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2024, are eligible to make a claim in the settlement.
Devices that qualify under the lawsuit include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, Apple TV streaming boxes, HomePod speakers and iPod Touches.
Payments for each device are capped at $20, but claimants may receive less depending on the total number of claims submitted. Each individual can claim up to five devices, resulting in a maximum payout of $100.
How to submit a claim in Lopez v. Apple
The Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement website allows Apple customers to claim a portion of the settlement. Some users received an email or postcard with a claim identification code and confirmation code that can be used to make the claim. If not, you can still submit one online until the deadline of July 2, 2025.
