Google has reached a $68 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over allegations that its virtual assistant, Google Assistant, secretly recorded private conversations. The lawsuit claims that these recordings were sometimes triggered by mistake and used to deliver targeted advertisements.
The settlement was filed in a California federal court and awaits approval from US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. If approved, users who owned Google devices since May 2016 could be eligible for a payout.
How Google Assistant Works
Google Assistant is designed to stay in standby mode until it hears the wake phrase, usually “Hey Google.” Once activated, it records the audio and sends it to Google’s servers for analysis. People often use it to ask questions, check the weather, or control smart home devices like lights and TVs.
Google maintains that the assistant does not send any audio while in standby mode. However, the lawsuit alleges that the assistant occasionally activated by mistake, recording private conversations without users’ consent.
Allegations of Targeted Advertising
The plaintiffs claim these accidental recordings were shared with advertisers to create personalized ads. Google has denied any wrongdoing but chose to settle the case to avoid lengthy litigation. Lawyers for the plaintiffs may request up to one-third of the settlement, which could be around $22 million in fees.
Similar Cases in the Tech Industry
This settlement comes after a similar case involving Apple. In January, Apple agreed to pay $95 million over claims that Siri recorded users without permission. Like Google, Apple denied any wrongdoing but resolved the case to prevent prolonged legal disputes.
What This Means for Users
If the settlement is approved, eligible users of Google devices from 2016 onward will receive compensation. The case highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and how smart devices handle sensitive personal data.
