Whoa! Did Siri Secretly Record You? You Could Get $100!
Okay, so this is wild. Apple's just agreed to pay out a massive $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit. The claim? Their super-helpful (or so we thought) voice assistant, Siri, might have been secretly recording our private conversations without our permission. And guess what? If you had a Siri device during a certain time period, you might be entitled to a piece of that pie.
Let's dive into this "Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement" and figure out if you're one of the lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) ones.
Who's in the Running?
This settlement covers anyone in the U.S. who used a Siri-enabled device between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Think your conversations might have been recorded without you knowing? You could be eligible. Apple's already sending out emails about it, with the subject line "Lopez Voice Assistant Class Action Settlement".
But don't panic if you haven't gotten an email yet! There's still a chance you can claim your share. I'll explain how in a bit.
What devices are included? Pretty much everything Siri-powered: iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches – the whole shebang.
And here's the kicker: The lawsuit claims Siri might have been recording even when you *weren't* saying "Hey Siri". Honestly, who saw that coming?
How Much Cash Are We Talking?
The potential payout is up to $20 per Siri-enabled device, and you can claim up to five devices, meaning a maximum of $100. But here's the deal: the more people who apply, the smaller each individual payout might get. So, don't delay!
Claim Your Share!
The deadline to file a claim is July 2, 2025. It's pretty straightforward:
Got an email? Great! It'll have a Claim ID and Confirmation Code. Just use those to file your claim online.
No email? No problem! You can still file online. You'll need your contact info, device serial numbers and model names, or proof of purchase. It might take a little digging, but it could be worth it.
You can get your payment via direct deposit or electronic check. Just remember – missing the deadline means missing out on the cash.
What Happens Next?
There's a final court hearing on August 1, 2025, to officially approve the settlement. Important note: Apple settled, but that doesn't mean they admit they did anything wrong. It's just a way to avoid a longer, more expensive legal battle.
Don't Sleep On This!
This whole situation really makes you think about privacy and how tech companies handle our data, right? If you think you're eligible for this settlement, don't wait! Check your email, gather your device info, and file your claim before that July 2, 2025 deadline. This could be free money for something that might have been a major privacy breach.