Apple agreed to pay $250 million in compensation for AI-Siri delays
- Apple will allocate $250 million for compensation for the delay of AI-Siri.
- Payouts from $25 to $95 for each eligible iPhone
- Applications are accepted until December 21, 2026
- The final hearing is scheduled for September 2027
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million in compensation to users who believe they were promised a faster rollout of artificial intelligence features in the Siri voice assistant. The amount will be distributed among owners of the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all models of the iPhone 16 who purchased the device between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of a group of consumers, claimed that Apple created a 'clear and reasonable expectation' among buyers that the new AI capabilities announced at WWDC 2024 would be available immediately with the release of the iPhone 16. However, at the official launch of the smartphone, Siri's features remained limited, despite advertising claims of 'Apple Intelligence.'
Later, the company canceled the plan to implement an updated version of Siri, and a full AI assistant only appeared at the beginning of this month with the release of iOS 27. Apple denies that this is a violation of any commitments to customers, but as part of the class action lawsuit, it agreed to a financial settlement.
Compensation Terms
Payments will be around $25 for each eligible device, but may increase to $95 depending on the total number of claims submitted. To receive compensation, owners must provide their name, contact information, and the phone's serial number on a special website created by the dispute administrator Verita Global.
Claims are accepted until December 21, 2026. After submission, the claim will be reviewed, and the final hearing for approval of payments is scheduled no earlier than September 29, 2027. Checks will be sent to recipients within 60 days after this hearing.
Among the compensation terms, it is stated that only residents of the USA who purchased an iPhone with Apple Intelligence support during the specified period are eligible for payments. Other models released before the announcement or after March 29, 2025, are not included in the program.
Verita Global, an international provider of dispute resolution services, has created a separate portal for submitting applications and will coordinate the payment process. According to company representatives, the process may take a significant amount of time due to the large number of applications.
The situation highlights the growing pressure from consumers and regulators on tech giants that promise to integrate advanced AI technologies into their products. Although Apple denies any breach of obligations, the financial settlement indicates the company's willingness to meet market demands.
Source: 3DNews
