Google has agreed to pay $68 M to settle a lawsuit, claiming it recorded and shared users’ private conversations without consent. The settlement highlights growing concerns about smart devices and their potential impact on user privacy. As tech becomes more integrated into daily life, the lawsuit has left users questioning data security and transparency.
Google decides to pay $68 million over lawsuit claiming it listened to private conversations
Google is paying $68 million to settle a lawsuit alleging its Google Assistant voice assistant recorded and shared users’ private conversations without consent.
The lawsuit claims the Google Assistant recorded users’ private conversations. The virtual assistant was triggered accidentally on their Android devices. Consequently, it sparked concerns about digital privacy among users. There are also allegations about Google using the recordings to target users with ads, monetizing their private moments.
The BBC has reached out to Google for a statement, upon which the tech giant denied any wrongdoing and informed that it was settling to avoid litigation costs and uncertainty.
Google Assistant remains in standby mode, awaiting the activation phrase “Hey Google”. Upon activation, it records audio and forwards it to Google’s servers for analysis. Users utilize this feature for various purposes, including information retrieval and smart-device control. Google asserts that audio data does not transmit during standby mode.
The proposed settlement was filed on Friday in the California Federal Court and requires approval from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. Plaintiffs have brought the lawsuit as a class action. Hence, if approved, the settlement amount will be distributed among multiple claimants.
Eligibility for a payout extends to individuals who have owned Google devices since May 2016. The plaintiffs’ lawyers may request up to one-third of the settlement amount. This equates to approximately $22 million in legal fees for their services.
The development follows a January settlement where Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a case. The lawsuit alleged that Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, listened to people without their consent. Apple, too, denied wrongdoing, saying it didn’t record or share conversations without permission.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory