Google agrees to $68m settlement over private phone recordings
Google has agreed to pay $68 million over private phone recordings. The lawsuit claimed Google Assistant recorded private conversations.As a result, the case has now reached a settlement.Users said Google Assistant activated by mistake. It recorded conversations without consent.Therefore, many people believed their privacy was violated. Google denied any wrongdoing in court filings.However, the company chose to settle to avoid long litigation.
The BBC has also contacted Google for comment.
Google Assistant normally waits for the phrase “Hey Google.” After activation, it records audio and sends it to Google servers.For example, users often ask about weather or smart devices.However, the lawsuit claimed false activities happened. As a result, private conversations were recorded accidentally. Users also alleged data sharing for targeted advertising.
Class action settlement details
The case was filed as a class action lawsuit. It now awaits approval from a US federal judge. Therefore, many users could receive c on devices since May 2016 may qualify. However, lawyers may take up to one-third in legal fees.That could reach about $22 million. This case follows a similar Apple settlement. Apple paid $95 million over Siri recording claims. In addition, Apple also denied wrongdoing.Privacy concerns continue to grow worldwide. Users now demand stronger data protections. As a result, tech companies face increasing pressure.
