Recently, you must have heard of a really weird but alarming case where Siri, the Apple phone assistant, was caught recording confidential conversations without even the user knowing about it. It was in the Lopez Voice Assistant case that this thing came out, and that was back in 2019 when this case was officially filed. Sure enough, Apple came into its defense mode, and they denied doing anything like that doing intentionally, but they do say that this could very well be an error, and the recordings were or could have been used to make Siri better. Anyway, this case is now settled, and that is why we’re talking about the Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement here.
How Did the Case Start?
This lawsuit was taken to the federal court in California in 2019 initially. The plaintiffs among whom Fumiko Lopez was, made the allegation that Siri was activated unintentionally and therefore, recorded confidential conversations without user consent. These claims were extended to several Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, HomePods, and others.
The agreement encompasses an extensive time frame starting from the 17th of September, 2014 until the 31st of December, 2024. It was during this time that users imagined these accidental activations might have happened.
Several users have also come across targeted ads after talking casually about products or places and this made them think that audio recordings were being used. Apple however, clarified that only tiny pieces of audio were audited to enhance Siri and that these pieces were not associated with any personal data. Nonetheless, a lot of users were still worried.
Settlement Approval Details
The case was tried in the Northern District of California by Judge Jeffrey S. White. Law firms, such as Scott+Scott, were on the side of the plaintiffs. Following the discussions, the court approved the settlement in 2025, giving the green light to the claims process.
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?
You may be eligible for a payment if:
You owned or purchased a Siri-enabled Apple device in the United States or its territories
The device was used between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024
Siri activated unintentionally and recorded a private or confidential conversation
Eligible devices include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, and Apple TVs.
To file a claim, visit the official website: https://lopezvoiceassistantsettlement.com
First of all, you need to check whether or not a private conversation got recorded due to an accidental activation of Siri. In case a claim notice with a Claim ID and confirmation code was sent to you, then those might be used by you. Regardless of whether or not a notice was sent to you, you always have the right to file a claim online.
How Much Can You Get Paid?
The total settlement amount is $95 million. After deducting legal fees and administrative costs, the remaining amount will be shared among approved claims.
- Up to $20 per device
- Maximum of five devices per person
- Maximum payout of $100 per claimant
The exact figure will be determined based on the number of legitimate claims that have been presented. The time limit for claims was July 2, 2025. Once the claims are processed, payments should follow, probably in late 2025 or early 2026, and could be delivered via check or electronic transfer.
Apple’s Statement
Apple basically keeps on saying that it didn’t do anything illegal. The company denies that Siri was triggered a lot by mistake and says that any audio that was used was only for the purpose of making Siri more efficient, without identifying users or selling data.
Apple has decided to settle this lawsuit by signing this agreement to close the case without an admission of guilt and to go on with their business.