Apple settles lawsuit, offers $125 to eligible iPhone users until 2025

Apple announced a settlement on Tuesday for a class‑action lawsuit that accused the company of secretly recording Siri users’ voices. The deal covers anyone who bought an iPhone with Siri built in between September 2011 and December 2022. Eligible owners can file a claim online until 31 March 2025 and receive a payment of $125, a replacement device, or a credit toward a future Apple purchase.

The lawsuit began in 2022 after researchers uncovered thousands of audio clips that Apple had stored without user consent. Plaintiffs argued that the recordings violated U.S. privacy laws and misled consumers about how Siri worked. Apple said the recordings were used to improve the voice assistant, but the company did not disclose the practice clearly. After months of court hearings, the parties reached a settlement to avoid a trial and to address the privacy concerns raised by the case.

Consumers must submit a claim through Apple’s dedicated portal, providing proof of purchase and a valid email address. Apple will verify each submission and issue payments by June 2025. If no claim is filed, the settlement funds will revert to a charitable fund supporting digital‑rights advocacy. The agreement also includes a commitment from Apple to improve its privacy disclosures and to give users more control over voice‑recording settings. The settlement marks one of the largest privacy payouts in the tech industry and signals growing scrutiny of how companies handle personal data.