Google Settles Voice Assistant Privacy Lawsuit for $68 Million
Google has agreed to pay $68 million to resolve a privacy lawsuit concerning its voice-activated assistant. This settlement results from claims that Google Assistant improperly recorded conversations without users’ consent, violating their privacy rights. The preliminary class-action settlement was filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, late on Friday and awaits approval from Judge Beth Labson Freeman.
Key Details of the Settlement
The lawsuit accused Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, of illegally capturing and sharing private conversations when its voice assistant was triggered. This practice was alleged to target users with advertising based on their discussions. Users claimed that Google Assistant misinterpreted everyday speech as “hot words,” leading to unintentional activation. This phenomenon is known as “false accepts.”
Understanding Voice Activation Issues
- Hot Words: Google Assistant activates on phrases like “Hey Google” or “OK Google.”
- False Accepts: Instances where normal speech is mistakenly recognized as hot words.
While Google denied any wrongdoing, this settlement aims to eliminate the uncertainties and expenses associated with extended litigation. The Mountain View, California-based company has opted not to comment publicly on the matter.
Eligibility for Settlement
The settlement will benefit individuals who purchased Google devices or experienced false accepts since May 18, 2016. Court documents indicate that the legal fees for the plaintiffs’ lawyers may reach up to one-third of the total settlement amount, approximately $22.7 million.
Comparison with Other Settlements
This case follows a similar legal resolution involving Apple, which paid $95 million last year to settle claims related to privacy issues with its smartphone users. Such settlements underscore the ongoing scrutiny tech companies face regarding privacy and data usage.
As technology continues to evolve, user privacy remains a critical concern, with consumers increasingly aware of how their data is handled.
