Google Settles $68 Million Privacy Lawsuit Over Voice Assistant Recordings
Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle claims it illegally recorded users through its Assistant feature. The proposed settlement, filed in a California federal court, awaits judicial approval. Plaintiffs alleged the tech giant captured private conversations when the voice-activated system misinterpreted background noise as activation commands.
The case centers on so-called "false accepts" - instances where Google Assistant allegedly triggered without proper wake phrases. Users reported receiving targeted ads based on these inadvertent recordings. While denying wrongdoing, Google opted to settle rather than engage in protracted litigation.
This resolution mirrors similar privacy concerns across Big Tech. Apple faced comparable scrutiny in late 2024 over its Siri voice assistant. The settlement covers affected users dating back to May 2016, with plaintiffs' attorneys seeking up to $22.7 million in fees.
