Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit alleging its voice-activated assistant recorded private conversations of smartphone users. The preliminary agreement, reported by Reuters, is subject to approval by a US District Judge. The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, claims that Google’s voice assistant, which is activated by phrases such as “Hey Google” or “Okay Google,” illegally recorded conversations and used them for targeted advertising.
According to court filings, customers who purchased a device may be eligible for a settlement payout of $18 to $56, while those who used Google Assistant or lived in a household with a device that recorded conversations could receive $2 to $10. The settlement applies to users who bought Google devices or were subjected to “false accepts” – instances where the assistant incorrectly recognized speech as a command – since May 18, 2016.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the balance between emerging technologies and user privacy. Google has faced similar lawsuits in the past, including a $425.7 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging privacy violations. Other tech companies, such as Apple and Amazon, have also faced lawsuits over their voice assistants, with Apple settling for $95 million over claims that its Siri assistant recorded private conversations without user consent.
The use of voice-activated assistants has become increasingly common, with many devices using “hot words” to activate the assistant. However, the phenomenon of “false accepts” has raised concerns about privacy, as devices may record conversations without users’ knowledge or consent. The settlement is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the use of personal data and the need for tech companies to prioritize user privacy.
The lawsuit is part of a broader trend of legal challenges to the use of personal data by tech companies. As voice-activated assistants become more ubiquitous, there is a growing need for clear guidelines and regulations on the use of personal data. The settlement is a step towards addressing these concerns, but it is likely that there will be further legal challenges in the future.
