Google has officially agreed to a $68 million settlement to resolve a long-running class-action lawsuit alleging its voice assistant illegally recorded private conversations. The preliminary deal was filed late Friday in a California federal court and now awaits final approval from a district judge.
The plaintiffs claimed that Google Assistant frequently recorded audio even when users did not utter the designated "hot words" like "Hey Google" or "Okay Google." These unauthorized activations, described in court documents as "false accepts," allegedly captured sensitive discussions without the user's knowledge or consent.
A central component of the lawsuit involved serious accusations that Google shared these uninvited recordings with third-party advertisers to improve ad targeting. While the tech giant has consistently denied using voice recordings for advertising purposes, the complaint argued that the data was monetized to boost revenue.
This settlement covers a broad class of consumers who purchased or used Google Assistant-enabled devices dating back to May 18, 2016. The affected hardware includes popular products such as Google Home smart speakers, Pixel smartphones, and other smart display devices that feature the integrated voice assistant.
Google has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of this agreement, maintaining that its technology is designed to protect user privacy. The company stated that it chose to settle the case primarily to avoid the substantial burden, risk, and expense associated with prolonged litigation.
The lawsuit highlights growing scrutiny over "always-on" microphones and the potential for smart devices to intrude on the privacy of unsuspecting homeowners. Legal experts note that this case mirrors a similar $95 million settlement agreed to by Apple recently regarding its Siri voice assistant.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs are expected to request up to one-third of the settlement fund, which would amount to approximately $22.7 million in legal fees. The remaining funds will be distributed among eligible class members, though the exact payout per person has not yet been determined by the court.
Privacy advocates have long warned that the convenience of voice-activated technology often comes at the cost of personal data security and unintended surveillance. This substantial payout serves as a stark reminder to tech companies that they must adhere to strict consent protocols when handling biometric and audio data.
The agreement requires final validation from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman before any payments can be processed for the affected users. If approved, this resolution will close a significant chapter in the ongoing legal battles concerning how major tech corporations collect and utilize consumer voice data.