Apple settles $250m AI lawsuit

Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action accusing it of misleading customers about delayed Apple Intelligence features tied to Siri. The case centers on marketing around a more personalized Siri that Apple previewed at WWDC in June 2024 and promoted around the iPhone 16 launch later that year. Apple did not admit wrongdoing in settling the case, according to reports on the agreement. The proposed settlement still requires court approval before claims can be processed. ### Which Apple features are actually at the center of the case? WWDC 2024 is the starting point for the dispute. Apple showed a more capable Siri as part of its Apple Intelligence push, then continued promoting those capabilities in ads and product marketing tied to newer iPhones, according to reports on the lawsuit. Plaintiffs said that created the impression the features were available sooner, or were more complete, than they were in practice. (techcrunch.com) March 2025 became a key date because Apple then delayed the Siri Apple Intelligence features and pulled related ads, MacRumors reported. The lawsuit said consumers bought devices “with features that did not exist or were materially misrepresented,” according to that report. (techcrunch.com) ### Who is covered by the settlement? U.S. buyers of certain recent iPhones are the proposed settlement class. Reports say eligible devices include iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 lineup, including the iPhone 16e, for purchases made between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025. (macrumors.com) Forbes reported that iPhone 15 Pro models are included even though Apple’s Siri promises came later, because those devices were capable of running the new features. That point goes to the consumer claim at the center of the case: buyers said the marketing affected purchase decisions for hardware sold as ready for Apple Intelligence. (macrumors.com) ### How much could users actually receive? The proposed fund is $250 million, but individual payments are expected to be much smaller. Reports on the settlement say eligible claimants are expected to receive $25 per device, with payouts potentially rising as high as $95 if fewer people file claims. (forbes.com) Around 36 million customers may qualify, Forbes reported, which helps explain why the headline number and the likely per-device payment are far apart. The final amount will depend on how many valid claims are submitted. ### What has Apple said in response? (techcrunch.com) Apple said the settlement resolves claims related to the availability of two additional features and said it wanted to remain focused on products and services. In statements quoted by multiple outlets, Apple also said it had introduced “dozens of features” across languages and platforms since launching Apple Intelligence, including Visual Intelligence, Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji and Clean Up. (forbes.com) May 2026 reporting on the settlement framed the case narrowly around delayed Siri capabilities, not the entirety of Apple Intelligence. That distinction matters because Apple’s defense, as quoted in coverage, is that many AI features did ship even as the more personalized Siri rollout slipped. (macrumors.com) ### What happens next for customers? June 17, 2026 is the scheduled settlement approval hearing, according to Forbes. If the court approves the deal, Apple must provide information about affected customers within five days, and notices would then go out during a 45-day period. (techcrunch.com) Claims will not be automatic, according to the same report. Forbes said customers will need to file after receiving notice, with claims due within 90 days of that notice, and payments expected around September 2026 if the settlement is approved. (forbes.com)