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Apple has decided to settle a five-year-old class action lawsuit accusing the company of using Siri to eavesdrop on conversations \u2014 and millions of iPhone users could soon qualify for a portion of the payout.<\/p>\n
A preliminary settlement<\/a> for $95 million in cash was filed on Tuesday night in California Federal court, per Reuters<\/a>, and it still has to be approved by a U.S. District Judge. Apple denies all wrongdoing.<\/p>\n The lawsuit, Lopez v. Apple, Inc.<\/a> was first filed in 2019 and alleged that Apple discreetly recorded users’ conversations without their permission or knowledge and shared recordings of the conversations with third-party advertisers.<\/p>\n The plaintiffs accused Apple of programming Siri to listen to conversations even when they didn’t speak the “Hey Siri” phrase to activate the voice assistant.<\/p>\n Related: <\/b>Apple iPhone 7 Users May Be Owed a Slice of a $35 Million Settlement \u2014 Here’s How to Claim Your Share<\/a><\/p>\n For example, several plaintiffs said they received targeted ads for Air Jordan shoes and Olive Garden after mentioning the footwear brand and restaurant chain out loud.<\/p>\n Another plaintiff claimed to have received ads for a surgical treatment after discussing the procedure with his doctor in what he thought was a private conversation.<\/p>\n Lawyers for the case have until February 14 to review the terms of the proposed settlement.<\/p>\n Related:<\/b> Apple Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over iCloud’s Alleged ‘Enormous Structural Advantage’<\/a><\/p>\n If the settlement is approved, tens of millions of iPhone users could be eligible for a slice of the pie.<\/p>\n Anyone who owned an iPhone or other Apple device with the “Hey, Siri” feature from September 17, 2014, to December 31, 2024, is eligible to file a claim, though court documents seen by NPR<\/a> estimate that only 3% to 5% of eligible consumers are expected to file.<\/p>\n Related:<\/b> ‘Subject to Apple’s All-Seeing Eye’: An Apple Manager Is Accusing the Tech Giant of Spying on Employees, According to a New Lawsuit<\/a><\/p>\n Users could receive $20 for up to five Siri-enabled devices owned during the period. The more devices, the higher the possible payout.<\/p>\n More details will emerge on how to claim part of the settlement if the judge approves it.<\/p>\n According to Statista, there were over 150 million<\/a> active iPhones in the United States in 2023.<\/p>\nWhat did the lawsuit allege?<\/h2>\n
Who is eligible for a payout?<\/h2>\n