Google to pay $68 million for alleged eavesdropping by voice assistant

Google has reached a settlement agreement to pay $68 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit that accused the company’s voice assistant of surreptitiously recording users and then sharing their private discussions with advertisers. The preliminary settlement, which was submitted on January 23 in a federal court in San Jose, California, is pending confirmation from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.

The lawsuit was initiated by a group of Google device owners who alleged that their conversations were recorded without their consent. While Google had previously proclaimed that its voice assistant would only capture speech when users invoked a specific trigger phrase like “Hey Google,” the plaintiffs argued that their devices were recording conversations even without the activation phrase being used.

Some of the claimants contended that their Google devices had recorded intimate discussions about financial matters, personal choices, and work-related issues. If the settlement is approved, Google will put $68 million into a fund to cater to all consumer claims, legal fees, and additional expenses authorized by the court.

Alphabet’s subsidiary, Google, has not immediately responded to inquiries from CBS News seeking comment on this matter. Consumers will have the opportunity to file claims for up to three Google devices, with the amount each individual receives contingent on the volume of claims submitted, as outlined in the settlement agreement.

This settlement has similarities with a previous class-action lawsuit against Apple, which accused their Siri voice assistant of eavesdropping on confidential discussions. Eligible Apple device owners are currently receiving compensation from a $95 million settlement, ranging from $8 to $40 per person.

In conclusion, the settlement between Google and the plaintiffs serves as a resolution to allegations of privacy violations involving the tech giant’s voice assistant. While the agreement requires court approval, it signifies Google’s commitment to addressing concerns raised by consumers regarding the unauthorized recording and sharing of their private conversations. This case serves as a cautionary tale for tech companies to prioritize user privacy and data protection, ensuring that voice-activated technology respects users’ boundaries and adheres to established guidelines.