Google settles 'secret eavesdropping' lawsuit for millions

US-based technology company Google has agreed to pay $68 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit filed over allegations that smart device users were being recorded without their knowledge.

ALLEGATIONS AROSE VIA GOOGLE ASSISTANT

According to The Hill, the lawsuit filed in the Northern District of California states that the process began with complaints regarding Google's voice assistant, "Google Assistant." The filing stated that the system was only supposed to record when commands such as "Hey Google" or "Okay Google" were given, or when a button on the device was pressed.

MANY DEVICES ALLEGEDLY AFFECTED

The application alleged that users' private conversations were recorded even without these commands being used. It was noted that the allegations cover a large number of products, including Google phones, home smart speakers, laptops, tablets, and wireless headphones.

SETTLEMENT SUBJECT TO JUDGE APPROVAL

Google stated that it chose to settle to avoid the uncertainty, risk, and costs that a lengthy legal process would entail. For the agreement to be valid, it requires the approval of US District Judge Beth Labson Freeman.

APPLE ALSO SETTLED A SIMILAR LAWSUIT

On January 3, US technology company Apple agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant, "Siri," violated user privacy.

News Source: 12punto