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You’ve probably seen the email by now. Maybe it landed in your promotions folder, or maybe you saw a headline that looked like just another piece of digital noise. It’s titled Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement, and honestly, it sounds like one of those scams where a distant prince wants to share his fortune.
But it’s real. Very real.
If you’ve owned an iPhone, an Apple Watch, or even an Apple TV at any point in the last decade, you might be part of a massive $95 million deal. This isn’t just about a few stray recordings; it’s the culmination of a five-year legal war over whether Siri was eavesdropping on your most private moments.
Why the Lopez Voice Assistant Settlement is a big deal
Let’s be real—everyone has a "my phone is listening to me" story. You talk about hiking boots, and suddenly your Instagram feed is nothing but Merrell ads. For years, big tech called us paranoid. Then came the Lopez v. Apple lawsuit.
The lead plaintiff, Fumiko Lopez, didn't just claim Siri was annoying. The lawsuit alleged that Apple’s voice assistant was "triggering" without the "Hey Siri" command and recording private stuff. We’re talking doctor’s appointments, business deals, and bedroom conversations.
The kicker? Those recordings weren't just sitting on a server. The suit claimed human contractors—actual people—were listening to these "accidental" triggers to help "improve" the AI. Apple eventually admitted to this "grading" program, apologized, and changed the rules. But for millions of users, the damage was done.
Are you actually eligible for the payout?
Don't get too excited about buying a new MacBook with the proceeds. The Lopez voice assistant settlement has a pretty specific set of criteria. You aren't just "in" because you own an iPhone.
To qualify, you basically have to meet three main points:
- You lived in the United States or its territories between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024.
- You owned or "purchased" a Siri-enabled device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, HomePod, etc.).
- You actually experienced an "unintended Siri activation" during a private conversation.
That last part is a bit of a "honor system" situation. If you remember Siri randomly chiming in while you were talking to your spouse or a doctor, you fit the bill.
Breaking down the numbers
Apple agreed to a $95 million fund. That sounds like a lot until you realize how many people own iPhones.
If you file a claim, you can get paid for up to five different devices. The math works out to roughly $20 per device, but that's a "cap." In the world of class actions, the final check is usually a "pro-rata" share. If ten million people sign up, you might get enough for a cup of coffee. If only a few people bother, you might actually see that $100 max payout.
The lawyers, naturally, are set to take a massive chunk—around $28.6 million—for their years of work.
How to spot the real notice from the scams
Because this settlement is so widespread, scammers are having a field day. If you get an email, look for a "Claim Identification Code" and a "Confirmation Code." These are unique to you.
The official website is LopezVoiceAssistantSettlement.com. If a site asks for your Social Security number or your Apple ID password, run. The real claim form only needs your contact info and the serial numbers (or at least the models) of your devices.
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What this means for your privacy moving forward
Honestly, the money is almost secondary to the policy changes. As part of the fallout from the Lopez case, Apple had to change how Siri works.
- Delete History: You can now go into your settings and wipe your Siri and Dictation history whenever you want.
- Opt-Out: You aren't forced into the "human review" program anymore. You have to explicitly give them permission to let humans hear your snippets.
- Visual Cues: Apple got stricter about showing that spinning light so you actually know when the mic is live.
Moving forward with your devices
If you missed the July 2, 2025 deadline to file a claim, you're unfortunately out of luck for the cash. The final approval hearing happened in August 2025, and the court effectively closed the door on new entries.
However, if you did file, checks are expected to start rolling out in early 2026. If you haven't seen anything yet, check the status of your claim on the administrator's portal using your confirmation code.
For everyone else, the best "win" here is the setting on your phone. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Research & Usage, and make sure "Improve Siri & Dictation" is turned off. It won't put $20 in your pocket, but it’ll keep your private chats out of a contractor's headphones.