Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a US class-action lawsuit accusing its voice assistant of recording private conversations without permission. The proposed settlement, filed in San Jose, California, still requires approval from a federal judge before becoming final.
The lawsuit claimed that Google Assistant devices, including smart speakers, phones, and displays, sometimes recorded conversations even when users didn’t say “Hey Google” or “Ok Google.” These unintended recordings, known as “false accepts,” allegedly captured private talks that were later shared with third parties or used for targeted advertising.
Users who had Google Assistant-enabled devices since May 2016 are eligible to participate in the settlement. While Google denies wrongdoing, the company said it wanted to avoid the uncertainty, cost, and duration of a prolonged court battle.
If approved, the $68 million fund will be used to pay eligible users and cover legal fees. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs may receive up to a third of the settlement, around $22.7 million.
The settlement underlines the balance between convenience and privacy in today’s technology, reminding users and companies alike that personal conversations require careful handling in the era of smart devices.
This case follows similar actions against tech companies. In 2025, Apple paid $95 million over allegations that Siri also recorded users without proper consent. Experts say these cases highlight growing concerns about voice assistant privacy and the need for stronger protections for users.
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