Google settles $68M lawsuit over Assistant secretly recording users
Google has agreed to pay $68 million in a class-action lawsuit to resolve claims that its Google Assistant recorded private conversations without users’ consent.
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Google agreed to pay $68 million to settle claims that Google Assistant secretly recorded private conversations without consent since 2016 and used the data for targeted ads.
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Beyond using recordings for ads, Google sent private audio to third-party contractors, raising additional privacy concerns about data disclosure.
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Eligible users who purchased Google devices (Home, Nest Hub, Pixel) after May 18, 2016, can claim $18-$56 per device, pending final court approval on March 19, 2026.
The claim goes back to 2016. The plaintiffs accused the Mountain View-based tech company of illegally recording private conversations with Google Assistant and then using this information to display personalized advertisements.
Normally, users would have to say “Hey Google” or “Okay Google” to activate Google Assistant. However, in some cases, Google’s voice assistant misinterpreted what people were saying and triggered Google Assistant anyway. These are so-called “false accepts.”
Not only did Google Assistant secretly eavesdrop on its users and show targeted ads, but recordings were also sent to third-party contractors.
The plaintiffs asked the US District Court of the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, to approve a preliminary settlement of $68 million to cover class member payments, notice and administration costs, taxes and escrow fees, attorneys’ fees and expenses, and service awards for class representatives.
Everyone who purchased a Google-made device, including Google Home, Nest Hub, or Pixel smartphone, after May 18th, 2016, and whose private conversations have been recorded or disclosed to third-party reviewers, is entitled to financial compensation.
The amount of the damages depends on the number of claims filed and will most likely range from $18 to $56 per device. The plaintiffs’ lawyers are entitled to one-third of the settlement amount, which exceeds $22 million.
Google denies any wrongdoing, but agreed to settle after nearly six years of litigation.
A judge still has to approve the settlement. A preliminary approval hearing is scheduled for March 19th, 2026. If approved, users will be notified by email and given time to file a claim.
Apple reached a similar deal over its voice assistant Siri in December 2024.
Apple was being accused of using its voice assistant to secretly listen to its users. The information was then given to third parties and used to target Apple users by showing personalized ads.
The tech company denied all allegations, but agreed to settle for $95 million.
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