Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that its devices recorded users without proper consent, potentially allowing millions of people to claim compensation.
According to court filings, Google plans to settle the case for $68 million, following allegations that its devices captured private conversations when Google Assistant was accidentally activated, even when users did not say the trigger phrase “Ok Google.” Reuters first reported the settlement.
The issue came to light after a 2019 investigation by VRT NWS, which revealed that human reviewers analyzing Google Assistant audio clips sometimes heard sensitive personal conversations. These recordings reportedly included moments when Assistant was triggered unintentionally or by individuals not meant to use it, such as children.
The lawsuit accused Google of unlawfully and intentionally recording confidential communications without user consent during what are known as “false accepts.” Plaintiffs also claimed that information from these recordings was improperly shared with third parties for targeted advertising and other purposes. Google denied these claims and, as part of the proposed settlement, continues to deny any wrongdoing.
In 2019, Google was not alone. Apple and Amazon also faced similar accusations related to accidental recordings by their voice assistants. Apple settled a comparable lawsuit in January 2025 for $95 million, while maintaining that it never used Siri recordings for ad targeting.
If the court approves Google’s settlement, payouts will be available to users whose Google accounts were linked to devices with Google Assistant pre-installed as early as 2016. Eligible devices include Pixel phones, Google Home devices, smart speakers and displays, Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max.
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Customers who purchased these devices may receive between $18 and $56, depending on the number of devices owned. Additionally, individuals who used Google Assistant or lived in a household where an Assistant-enabled device illegally recorded conversations could qualify for smaller payments ranging from $2 to $10.
