Apple users eligible for compensation following Siri lawsuit resolution

Apple Inc. has recently reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to Siri, its voice-activated assistant. The lawsuit alleged that Siri recorded users' conversations without their consent, thereby violating their privacy. As a result of the settlement, individuals who owned an Apple device with Siri installed between October 2011 and September 2019 could be eligible for a payout. This includes owners of iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches, Apple Watches, HomePods, and certain MacBook models.The class-action lawsuit, which was filed in California, alleged that Siri recorded and stored users' private conversations without their knowledge or permission. It was claimed that this was done for quality control purposes, but it meant that Siri was effectively eavesdropping on users' private conversations. The plaintiffs argued that this was a violation of their privacy rights.The lawsuit was settled without Apple admitting any wrongdoing. However, under the terms of the settlement, the company has agreed to pay out up to $30 per device to eligible claimants. This could potentially amount to a total payout of $95 million. However, the final amount will depend on the number of valid claims that are submitted. The deadline for submitting claims is expected to be sometime in 2025.Apple has also agreed to make changes to Siri's privacy policy as part of the settlement. These changes include providing clearer information about how Siri collects and uses data, as well as giving users more control over their data.The settlement is still subject to final approval by the court. If approved, eligible Apple device owners will have the opportunity to submit a claim for compensation. More detailed information about the settlement and how to submit a claim will be available on the settlement website once it is live.To be eligible for a payout, individuals must have owned an eligible Apple device between October 2011 and September 2019. They must also be able to prove that they owned the device during this period. This could potentially involve providing proof of purchase or other documentation.This lawsuit highlights the ongoing concerns about digital privacy and the use of voice-activated assistants. As these technologies become increasingly common, it's crucial that companies take steps to protect users' privacy and provide clear information about how data is collected and used.