Google Agrees to $68 Million Settlement in Voice Assistant Privacy Case
Google has reached a preliminary agreement to pay $68 million to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of violating user privacy through its voice-activated assistant. The settlement, filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, addresses claims that Google Assistant improperly recorded and disseminated private conversations to deliver targeted advertisements to smartphone users.
Details of the Allegations and Settlement Terms
The lawsuit alleged that Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, illegally captured and circulated private discussions after Google Assistant was inadvertently triggered. This occurred through what are known as false accepts, where the assistant misinterprets everyday speech as activation commands like Hey Google or Okay Google. Users reported receiving ads based on these recordings, which they argued constituted a breach of their privacy rights.
In court documents, Google denied any wrongdoing but opted to settle to avoid the risk, cost, and uncertainty associated with prolonged litigation. The company, based in Mountain View, California, declined to comment on the settlement when approached. The agreement covers individuals who purchased Google devices or experienced false accepts since May 18, 2016, and it awaits approval from US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.
Legal Fees and Broader Context
Under the terms of the settlement, lawyers representing the plaintiffs may request up to one-third of the $68 million fund, approximately $22.7 million, to cover legal fees. This case follows a similar pattern in the tech industry, with Apple reaching a $95 million settlement last year over comparable privacy concerns related to its Siri voice assistant.
The settlement highlights ongoing debates about data privacy and the ethical use of voice-activated technologies in smartphones. As these devices become more integrated into daily life, such legal actions underscore the importance of transparent data practices and user consent in the digital age.
