Apple is on the verge of potentially resolving a class action lawsuit that has lingered for five years, stemming from accusations that the tech giant used Siri to eavesdrop on user conversations.
If the settlement goes through, millions of iPhone users could have the chance to file claims for a portion of the financial compensation.
Proposed Settlement Details
On Tuesday, a proposed cash settlement of $95 million was filed in a California federal court, as reported by Reuters.
However, this proposal is still awaiting the green light from a U.S. District Judge.
Apple asserts that it has not engaged in any wrongdoing related to these claims.
Background of the Case
The case, known as Lopez v. Apple, Inc., was first brought to light in 2019, alleging that Apple recorded user conversations without their consent or knowledge.
Moreover, it is claimed that these recordings were shared with third-party advertisers.
Plaintiffs argued that Siri would listen to their discussions even without the “Hey Siri” activation prompt, citing instances where targeted ads appeared after casual conversations.
One user, for instance, noted receiving promotional material for a medical procedure after discussing it privately with their doctor.
Claim Eligibility and Process
Attorneys connected to the case have until February 14 to review the terms of the proposed settlement.
Should the judge approve this settlement, it could pave the way for tens of millions of iPhone users to claim compensation.
Users who owned an iPhone or any device with “Hey Siri” capabilities between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, might be eligible to participate.
However, court filings suggest that only a small fraction, estimated at 3% to 5%, are likely to submit claims.
Eligible claimants could receive up to $20 for each Siri-enabled device they owned during that period, with the potential for increased payouts based on the number of devices registered.
If the court gives the nod to the settlement, further details on the claims process will be made available.
According to Statista, as of 2023, there are over 150 million active iPhones in the United States, which shows the potential impact of this case.
Source: Entrepreneur