Google agrees to $68M settlement in privacy lawsuit over Assistant recordings

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging its voice-activated Assistant improperly recorded users’ private conversations without consent, according to court filings.

The proposed settlement, filed Jan. 23 in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Califoia, stems from complaints that Google Assistant sometimes activated without the required wake phrases — such as “Hey Google” or “OK Google” — and captured audio that users expected to remain private. Plaintiffs said some recordings were used for targeted advertising, though Google denied any liability. 

Under the agreement, eligible consumers who bought Assistant-enabled devices dating back to May 2016 may file claims once the settlement is preliminarily approved by U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman. How much individual claimants will receive has not yet been determined. 

Google said it chose to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation. A preliminary approval hearing is scheduled later this year. 

The case echoes a similar privacy suit against Apple over its Siri voice assistant, which in 2024 resulted in a $95 million settlement.