Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a U.S. class-action lawsuit accusing its voice assistant of recording private conversations without user permission. The settlement was filed in a federal court in San Jose, California, and now awaits approval from a judge before it becomes final.
The lawsuit claimed that Google Assistant, which powers devices such as smart speakers, smartphones, and smart displays, sometimes recorded conversations even when users did not intentionally activate it with trigger phrases like “Hey Google” or “Ok Google.” These accidental recordings, known as “false accepts,” allegedly captured private discussions that could be shared with third parties or used for targeted advertising.
The lawsuit covered anyone who had a Google Assistant-enabled device since May 18, 2016, potentially including millions of users. While Google has denied any wrongdoing, it said the settlement was intended to avoid prolonged legal battles, uncertainty, and costs associated with litigation.
If approved, the $68 million fund will pay eligible users and cover legal fees. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs may receive up to one-third of the total settlement, approximately $22.7 million, for their work.
This settlement follows a similar case involving Apple, which in 2025 agreed to pay $95 million over allegations that Siri also recorded users without consent. Experts say these cases highlight growing concerns about voice assistant privacy and the responsibilities of tech companies in protecting user data.
The Google settlement emphasizes the importance of transparency and consent in devices that are always listening.
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