Google Agrees $68Million Settlement in Privacy Suit

Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a California federal lawsuit which claimed that Google Assistant secretly recorded private conversations without user knowledge or consent.

The settlement, filed in court, follows claims that unintentional activations caused audio to be transmitted to Google’s servers. It said it agreed to settle to avoid prolonged litigation, but the deal still requires approval from US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.

The complaint asserts that although Google Assistant is designed to start recording only after trigger phrases like “Hey Google” or “Okay Google,” the system sometimes activated on its own, capturing conversations when users did not engage the assistant.

Google acknowledges that voice commands are processed by sending recordings to its servers, but the plaintiffs contend that unintended activations amount to unlawful collection of personal communications.

The case mirrors similar claims in the tech industry. Earlier this month, Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing Siri of listening in on private conversations without consent.

Author

Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.