Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Apple Begins Paying Siri Privacy Settlement as Google Reaches $68 Million Deal

Deposits mark the distribution phase of a class action over unintended recordings that spurred Apple to require opt-in audio review.

Overview

  • Direct deposits labeled “Lopez Voice Assistant” and mailed checks or prepaid cards have started going to approved claimants in late January 2026.
  • Payouts are averaging about $8.02 per eligible device with observed totals up to roughly $40.10 per person, below the advertised cap of $20 per device and $100 maximum.
  • Eligible class members owned Siri-enabled Apple devices purchased between September 17, 2014 and December 31, 2024 and reported unintended activations, with up to five devices per claim submitted in May–early July 2025.
  • Apple denies wrongdoing, says recordings were not used for marketing or linked to Apple IDs, and previously shifted Siri audio grading to an opt-in process handled in-house.
  • Separately, Google filed a preliminary $68 million settlement over “false accepts” by Google Assistant that requires approval by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman and covers users dating back to May 18, 2016.