Tech giant Google has agreed to a $68 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant illegally recorded user communications. The lawsuit claimed these recordings were made without consent and used for purposes such as targeted advertising.
Details of the Allegations
The case centered on claims that Google engaged in the “unlawful and intentional interception and recording of individuals’ confidential communications.” According to the suit, this was often triggered by “false accepts,” where the Google Assistant would activate and record conversations even when not prompted by a wake word.
The plaintiffs argued that the information gathered from these recordings was then transmitted to third parties for advertising and other undisclosed purposes. As part of the settlement, Google did not admit to any wrongdoing.
A Pattern of Privacy Concerns
This settlement is part of a broader trend of legal challenges facing major tech companies over data privacy and voice assistant technology. In a similar case in 2021, Apple paid $95 million to settle claims that its voice assistant, Siri, had recorded user conversations without their permission.
Google has also faced other significant privacy-related litigation. Last year, the company settled two lawsuits with the state of Texas for $1.4 billion over alleged violations of the state’s data privacy laws, highlighting the increasing scrutiny on how tech firms handle user data.
Relevance for the MENA Tech Ecosystem
This high-profile case serves as a critical reminder for the rapidly growing MENA tech scene. For founders and startups in the region, particularly those developing AI and voice-activated technologies, the settlement underscores the immense financial and reputational risks of inadequate data privacy practices. It emphasizes the need to build products with a “privacy by design” approach and maintain transparency with users about data collection and usage.
For venture capitalists and investors in MENA, this development highlights the importance of including rigorous data privacy and compliance checks as a core part of the due diligence process. As regional regulations evolve, a startup’s ability to navigate complex privacy laws will be a key indicator of its long-term viability and a crucial factor in mitigating investment risk.
About Google
Google is a global technology company specializing in internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. The company is one of the most valuable brands worldwide and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.
Source: TechCrunch
