Attorneys cited several alleged instances in which Google devices had recorded private conversations about sensitive topics, including financial issues, personal decisions, and employment opportunities.
Google will pay $68 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company’s voice assistant illegally recorded users’ conversations, which were then shared with advertisers.
According to CBS News, the preliminary settlement was filed January 23 in a San Jose, California-based federal court. It still requires approval by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman before it can take effect.
The settlements, notes CBS News, relates to a lawsuit filed by several consumers who had purchased Google devices. In court documents, attorneys said that Google’s voice assistant recorded conversations without providing notice or attempting to obtain consent. Notably, the lawsuit suggested that the voice assistant would activate even without being issued a verbal prompt, like, “Hey, Google.”
Attorneys cited several alleged instances in which Google devices had recorded private conversations about sensitive topics, including financial issues, personal decisions, and employment opportunities.
If the settlement is approved, Google is expected to place $68 million in a fund that will be used to pay all eligible and outstanding consumer claims; a portion of the fund will also cover court-approved attorneys’ fees and other legal costs.
Earlier this week, Apple also settled a similar lawsuit.
Lawyers for the Apple class drew off 2019 claims made by a whistleblower, who told The Guardian that the company’s contractor workers routinely listened to recordings captured by Siri, its digital voice assistant.
Sources
Google to pay $68 million over allegations its voice assistant eavesdropped on users
Google to pay $68m to settle lawsuit claiming it recorded private conversations
Google settles Google Assistant privacy lawsuit for $68 million
Google will settle its Assistant spying lawsuit for $68 million
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