Apple Begins Distributing Payments from Siri Privacy Settlement
Apple has initiated the distribution of payments to users involved in the Siri privacy class-action lawsuit. This follows a $95 million settlement addressing claims that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, recorded conversations without explicit user activation. Eligible claimants are now receiving their compensation through various methods, including direct deposits, prepaid cards, and mailed checks.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit originated from allegations that Siri occasionally activated unintentionally, capturing private conversations without users’ knowledge or consent. These inadvertent activations raised significant privacy concerns, leading to legal action against Apple. The company, while denying any wrongdoing, agreed to the settlement to resolve the matter and avoid prolonged litigation.
Eligibility Criteria for Claimants
To qualify for compensation, individuals had to meet specific criteria:
– Ownership or use of a Siri-enabled Apple device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
– Experience of unintended Siri activations during private conversations.
– Submission of a valid claim before the designated deadline.
Eligible devices included iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod Touches, and Apple TVs. Each claimant could list up to five devices in their submission.
Compensation Details
The $95 million settlement fund was allocated to cover legal fees and distribute payments to approved claimants. The final compensation per device was determined based on the total number of valid claims and associated expenses. The distribution details are as follows:
– Maximum of five devices per claimant.
– Approximately $8.02 per device.
– Maximum total payout of about $40.10 per individual.
Claimants had the option to receive their payments via direct deposit, prepaid gift cards, or mailed checks, based on their preference indicated during the claim process.
Apple’s Response and Policy Changes
In response to the lawsuit and the concerns it highlighted, Apple implemented several changes to enhance user privacy:
– Users must now opt-in before any Siri recordings are used for grading or improvement purposes.
– The company ceased employing external contractors to review Siri recordings.
– Apple emphasized that Siri recordings are not linked to Apple IDs and are not utilized for marketing or advertising purposes.
These measures aim to bolster user trust and ensure greater transparency in how voice data is handled.
Next Steps for Claimants
Individuals who submitted valid claims are advised to monitor their bank accounts, email inboxes, and mailboxes for their compensation. Direct deposits have commenced, with prepaid cards and checks to follow shortly. It’s essential to check spam or junk folders to ensure no communications are missed.
This settlement marks the resolution of a significant privacy dispute concerning Siri, providing closure and compensation to affected users.
