Apple is currently facing at least two proposed class action lawsuits related to the delayed personalization features of Siri for iPhones. One lawsuit was filed in a California federal court this week, claiming that Apple has violated laws against false advertising and unfair competition by promoting updates to Siri that have not yet been implemented. The plaintiffs in this case argue that had they known the promised features would not be available, they would not have purchased the iPhone 16 or spent the high price associated with it. They contend that Apple engaged in misleading marketing practices.
The advanced, context-aware Siri was prominently featured in product presentations, marketing materials, and advertisements. Just last month, another similar lawsuit emerged in California concerning the delay in these Siri features, raising the possibility that these lawsuits may be consolidated. In Canada, a similar complaint was lodged in British Columbia against Apple. The anticipated personalized features for Siri were initially highlighted during Apple’s WWDC keynote in June 2024.
Apple indicated that these features would be available in the following year, but the company has since announced that they will require additional time, pushing the rollout to “sometime in the coming year.” Initially, expectations centered around the release of Siri 2.0 with iOS 18.4; however, after the recent update, it became clear that the upgraded Siri would not be included. Many now speculate that the new features may only debut with iOS 19 or potentially even in 2026. Both lawsuits are seeking damages, the specifics of which will be determined in court.
If Apple is found liable for false advertising, consumers who purchased the iPhone 16 based on these promises could potentially receive compensation. However, the resolution of such cases is often protracted, especially involving large tech companies. Ultimately, many iPhone 16 users remain eager for the expected features to become a reality, highlighting the importance of setting appropriate expectations with consumers regarding product promotions.