Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of misleading millions of iPhone buyers by falsely promoting artificial intelligence capabilities for its Siri voice assistant in late 2024. The settlement, which includes no admission of wrongdoing, covers approximately 36 million eligible devices purchased in the United States from June 10, 2024, to March 29, 2025.
Plaintiffs accused the California tech giant of having 'promoted AI capabilities that did not exist at the time, do not exist now, and will not exist for two or more years' in order to boost iPhone sales, according to the lawsuit. Apple's more 'personalized' version of Siri has still not been fully released despite its announcement nearly two years ago.
Advertising Watchdog Findings
The Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division, the US advertising watchdog, also concluded that Apple falsely suggested the new AI-powered Siri was 'available now'. Apple had launched a major advertising campaign in 2024 to promote these capabilities before confirming their indefinite delay and pulling its ads.
Compensation Details
Each class member could receive $25 per device, a sum that could reach $95 depending on the number of approved claimants. The settlement was filed on Tuesday for court approval and covers the iPhone 16, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
'We resolved this matter to stay focused on what we do best: delivering the most innovative products and services to our users,' Apple told the Financial Times.
Legal Perspectives
'We are proud to secure a historic settlement on behalf of consumers who should feel confident and protected when deciding where to spend their hard-earned dollars,' said Ryan Clarkson, founder and managing partner of Clarkson Law Firm, which brought the suit on behalf of consumers. 'We are at an inflection point with AI, and the choices companies and regulators make now will shape how this technology impacts everyday people.'
A Morgan Stanley survey cited in the complaint indicated that 'enhanced Siri' was the feature that potential iPhone buyers most anticipated.
Court Approval Pending
The settlement must still be approved by Judge Noël Wise of the federal district court for the northern district of California at a hearing set for June 17. This article's headline was amended on May 6, 2026, to clarify that Apple did not admit liability in this case over claims about the availability of Siri's AI features.
