Google has agreed to shell out tens of millions of dollars to settle a class-action lawsuit, alleging that the tech giant recorded user conversations without consent.
According to the settlement administrator’s portal, Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle the lawsuit that was filed following accusations that Google Assistant wrongfully collected, used and disclosed audio recordings, even though the user did not activate the app.
The lawsuit, which was filed at the US District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, alleges that Google Assistant-enabled devices experience “false accepts,” or instances where the device automatically begins recording conversations despite the user not using a “hotword,” such as “Okay Google.”
People who bought a Google-made device, used Google Assistant or were household members of Google Assistant users in the US or its territories from May 18th, 2016, to March 19th, 2026, are class members.
The $68 million settlement fund will be used to pay notice and administration costs, escrow fees, taxes, lawyer fees, service award to the plaintiffs and other costs. The remaining funds will be distributed proportionally to class members based on their total number of points.
Those who bought Google-made devices will receive four points for each device, with a maximum of three devices. Meanwhile, those who used Google Assistant or were a household member of a Google Assistant user will receive one point.
Affected users may submit a claim through this portal on or before August 27th.
Google denies all claims and any wrongdoing or liability.
“The Court did not decide in favor of the Plaintiffs or Google. Instead, both sides agreed to a Settlement. That way, both sides avoid the costs and risks of a trial, and the Settlement Class Members will receive the benefits described in this Notice, whereas they might otherwise get nothing. The proposed Settlement does not mean that any law was broken or that Google did anything wrong.”
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