In a significant development for digital privacy, Google has agreed to a $68 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that its voice-activated assistant improperly spied on smartphone users. The preliminary settlement was filed late on Friday night in the San Jose federal court in California and awaits approval from US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.
Allegations of Unauthorised Recording and Data Sharing
The lawsuit accused Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, of illegally recording and disseminating private conversations after its Google Assistant was triggered. Plaintiffs claimed that this data was then used to send targeted advertisements to users, violating their privacy rights. Google Assistant is designed to activate in response to specific "hot words" such as "Hey Google" or "Okay Google," similar to Apple's Siri system.
Issues with False Accepts and User Objections
Users raised objections after experiencing "false accepts," where Google Assistant misperceived everyday speech as hot words, leading to unintended recordings and subsequent targeted ads. This issue highlighted concerns over the accuracy and privacy implications of voice recognition technology in smart devices.
Although Google has denied any wrongdoing, the company opted to settle the case to avoid the risks, costs, and uncertainties associated with prolonged litigation, as detailed in court documents. Based in Mountain View, California, Google declined to comment on the settlement when approached on Monday.
Scope of the Settlement and Legal Fees
The settlement covers individuals who purchased Google devices or were subjected to false accepts since 18 May 2016. According to court papers, lawyers representing the plaintiffs may seek up to one-third of the settlement fund, approximately $22.7 million, to cover legal fees and expenses.
Broader Context in the Tech Industry
This settlement follows a similar pattern in the tech sector, with Apple reaching a $95 million agreement with smartphone users last year over comparable privacy concerns. These cases underscore growing scrutiny over how major technology companies handle user data and the legal ramifications of alleged privacy breaches.
As voice-activated assistants become increasingly integrated into daily life, this settlement may prompt further discussions on regulatory frameworks and consumer protections in the realm of digital privacy and data security.
