Apple has consented to a $95 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit claiming that private conversations with Siri were unintentionally recorded and analyzed by external contractors. If U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White grants approval, the settlement will provide compensation to impacted users of up to $20 for each Apple device enabled with Siri, including iPhones and Apple Watches. The proposed settlement was submitted on Tuesday in federal court located in Oakland, California.

The lawsuit originates from consumer complaints regarding Siri being activated without intention, along with a 2019 whistleblower report released by *The Guardian*. This report indicated that Apple contractors, while performing quality assurance assessments, heard sensitive voice recordings, which encompassed private medical discussions, drug-related dialogues, and even personal moments between partners. Siri is intended to respond only when it identifies the wake phrase “Hey Siri,” but it was reportedly set off by various noises, including zippers, the action of lifting an Apple Watch, or specific voices.

Several Apple users asserted that private discussions were recorded and transmitted to third-party advertisers, resulting in targeted advertisements for products or services mentioned in those conversations, such as medical treatments. In light of the criticism, Apple extended a formal apology and declared it would stop retaining voice recordings.

The class-action lawsuit encompasses events that took place between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. To receive their portion of the settlement, Apple users must file a claim for up to five Siri-compatible devices (which may include iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, MacBooks, iMacs, HomePods, iPod touches, or Apple TVs) and swear under oath that Siri was inadvertently triggered during private or confidential dialogues.

Apple is not the sole technology giant under examination for privacy issues related to voice assistants. Google is currently facing a similar class-action lawsuit concerning its Google Assistant being activated without its designated wake words.