As the clock winds down on a hefty $95 million class-action settlement with Apple over Siri's eavesdropping claims, holders of Siri-enabled devices are in a race against time to file their claims. Wednesday, July 2, marks the deadline for millions of users eligible for a payout under the terms of what has been termed the "Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement." According to a report from NBC Chicago, Apple stands by its position that it has done "nothing improper or unlawful," but has agreed to the settlement to end the legal battle that alleges Siri recorded users' private conversations without consent.
Eligible individuals are those residing in the US or its territories, who have owned Siri-enabled Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and several other devices — between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. While "tens of millions" could be entitled to file, as per a previous report by Nexstar, it is estimated only 3% to 5% will actually do so.
What's up for grabs can be as much as $20 per eligible Siri-enabled device and claims can be submitted for up to five devices. This translates into a possible $100 for those with multiple eligible products. However, factors such as the total number of valid claims submitted will ultimately determine the final payout amount per person. The settlement administrator detailed that the amount available to Settlement Class Members "will increase or decrease pro rata depending on the total number of valid claims submitted, and Siri Devices claimed."
Submitting a claim requires filling out an online form by Wednesday's deadline with specific information about the devices — a task that might require hunting down serial numbers and proof of purchase. For those who've received a notification via email or postcard, the process should be straightforward, needing only the provided claimant ID, and confirmation code. For others, more detailed information like a model, serial number, and potentially a proof of product purchase may be necessary, reports NBC Chicago.
The timeline for receiving payouts depends on the outcome of a final court hearing scheduled for August, and whether there are appeals, which can prolong the process. Those who file valid claims and avoid delays could see their settlement benefits processed later this year, though it can take longer as evidenced by recent class action lawsuits against Facebook and T-Mobile. Should the settlement be green-lighted without appeal, "your settlement benefit will be processed promptly," stated the agreement administrator quoted by Nexstar.
