Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant improperly recorded users without their consent. The settlement resolves claims that Google Assistant activated and recorded conversations even when users hadn't said the "Hey Google" or "OK Google" wake words.
The Lawsuit
The class-action lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged that Google's voice assistant:
- Recorded conversations without users saying the wake word
- Stored these recordings on Google's servers
- Used the recordings for advertising purposes
- Failed to adequately disclose these practices to users
- Allowed third-party contractors to review recordings
Settlement Details
Under the terms of the settlement, Google will:
Financial Compensation
- Pay $68 million into a settlement fund
- Affected users may receive between $5-$200 depending on their usage
- Cover legal fees and administrative costs
Policy Changes
More significantly, Google has agreed to implement several policy changes:
- Delete recordings made without proper consent
- Improve wake word detection accuracy
- Provide clearer disclosures about recording practices
- Give users more control over their audio data
- Limit third-party access to voice recordings
"This settlement sends a clear message that companies cannot secretly record their users. Privacy is a fundamental right that must be respected." - Lead Plaintiff's Attorney
Google's Response
Google denied any wrongdoing in its statement about the settlement, stating that the company agreed to settle to avoid the expense and distraction of continued litigation. A spokesperson emphasized that Google takes user privacy seriously and has already implemented many improvements to its voice assistant.
What This Means for Users
Checking Your Recordings
Users can review and delete their Google Assistant voice history by:
- Going to myactivity.google.com
- Filtering by "Voice & Audio"
- Reviewing and deleting individual recordings or all data
Adjusting Privacy Settings
Consider adjusting your Google Assistant privacy settings:
- Turn off "Voice & Audio Activity" saving
- Enable auto-delete for older data
- Review what data Google collects regularly
Broader Implications
This settlement is part of a growing trend of tech companies facing consequences for privacy violations related to voice assistants. Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri have also faced similar scrutiny and lawsuits.
Industry Impact
- Increased regulatory attention on voice assistant privacy
- Potential for similar lawsuits against other companies
- Push for more transparent data collection practices
- Growing consumer awareness of smart device privacy
How to Claim Settlement Money
Affected users who used Google Assistant between May 2016 and the settlement date may be eligible for compensation. Details on how to file a claim will be provided through the official settlement website, which will be announced in the coming weeks.