In a significant development for the global tech landscape, Apple has agreed to a $250 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit. The legal battle centered on allegations that the company misled millions of iPhone buyers by falsely promoting the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of its Siri voice assistant in late 2024.
Plaintiffs in the case asserted that Apple promoted AI features that did not exist at the time of the advertising, do not currently exist, and would not be available for at least two more years. According to the court documents, these claims were utilized to boost iPhone sales.
The legal challenge was reinforced by findings from the Better Business Bureau's National Advertising Division. The US advertising watchdog concluded that Apple had falsely suggested that the new AI-powered Siri was "available now."
The settlement, filed for court approval this past Tuesday, covers approximately 36 million eligible devices. Affected hardware includes the iPhone 16, as well as the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, purchased in the US between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. Eligible class members could receive between $25 and $95 per device, depending on the final number of approved claimants.
Despite the agreement, Apple has made no admission of wrongdoing. In a statement provided to the Financial Times, the company stated, "We resolved this matter to stay focused on what we do best: delivering the most innovative products and services to our users."
The controversy underscores the immense consumer anticipation surrounding AI integration in mobile devices. A Morgan Stanley survey cited in the complaint revealed that an "enhanced Siri" was the feature potential iPhone buyers most anticipated. While Apple launched a major campaign in 2024 to promote these capabilities, the company eventually pulled the ads after confirming an indefinite delay of the features.
The final approval of the settlement is pending a hearing before Judge Noel Wise of the federal district court for the Northern District of California, which is scheduled for June 17, 2026.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
