Apple’s $250M Siri Lawsuit Settlement Approved by Judge

Apple is on the cusp of fulfilling its promise of an enhanced Siri, after initially causing some iPhone 16 buyers to wait anxiously. During the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, showcasing new generative AI tools for writing text, generating images, and summarizing articles. However, the highlight was the unveiling of “Siri 2.0,” a significant upgrade that would transform the 13-year-old tool into a true voice assistant.

In a carefully orchestrated demo, Apple showcased how Siri would work with ChatGPT to provide answers to real-world questions and sift through iPhone apps to gather information like emails, messages, and calendar events to assist users. Despite the impressive demonstration, Apple faced challenges in delivering the promised Siri upgrade in iOS 18, leading to a delay and leaving users questioning its existence.

With the release of iOS 27, Apple introduced a revamped Siri AI, garnering positive feedback during the early beta stages. However, a group of users filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of falsely advertising advanced AI capabilities that were not available at the launch of the iPhone 16. The lawsuit highlighted the delayed rollout of features like Writing Tools, claiming that Apple’s marketing misled consumers into purchasing the device.

Initially, Apple contested the lawsuit but eventually decided to settle, agreeing to pay $250 million to resolve the case. The tentative settlement has been provisionally approved, allowing affected consumers who purchased an Apple Intelligence-capable iPhone between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025, to receive compensation. Eligible individuals may claim between $25 and $95 per affected device, with a claims process expected to be set up before the end of summer.

In a filing with the US District Court for the Northern District of California, Judge Noel Wise approved the case to proceed to a final hearing scheduled for September 29, 2027. The outcome of the hearing will determine the final resolution for consumers affected by the delayed Siri upgrade. Stay tuned for updates on the claims process as detailed by Judge Wise’s ruling.