Google Settles Google Assistant Privacy Lawsuit for $68 Million

In response, Google agreed to pay $68 million in a lawsuit alleging that its voice-activated assistant was inappropriately spyed on smartphones users and violated privacy of the smartphone user.

In the San Jose, California federal court, a preliminary class action settlement filed late Friday night was filed by U.S. Senate and requires approval of pending rulings from state officials on behalf of its proposed lawsuit against ‘s suit. S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman, pictured, said ‘It is an important part of District J.LonLabson freeman to .

Google, one of Alphabet’s units, was accused by smartphone users of illegally recording and disseminating private conversations after Google Assistant triggered them so they could send targeted advertising.

The Google Assistant is designed to respond when people use “hot words” like “Hey Google” or ‘OkayGoogle’, similar to Apple’s Siri.

Users objected to receiving ads after Google Assistant misperceived what they said as hot words, known as “false accepts.”

Apple reached a similar $95 million settlement with smartphone users in December 2024.

While Google has pleaded not guilty to the offence, it decided that “the risk and cost of litigation are avoided” (court documents show) but settled in order for cautions against the risk, uncertainty and uncertainty of lawsuit. On Monday the company, which is based in Mountain View and California, declined to comment.

Since May 18, 2016, court papers show that people who bought Google devices or were subjected to false accepts in the settlement.

Lawyers for plaintiffs may seek up to one-third of the settlement fund, or about $22.7 million, for legal fees.