Google Faces $68 Million Class-Action Lawsuit Over Google Assistant Recording Practices

A $68 million settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit against Google over its Google Assistant feature, which allegedly recorded personal conversations without user consent. The issue occurred across multiple devices over a decade, with affected users potentially eligible for a payment.

The suit alleged that Google's voice assistant would record conversations even when not explicitly triggered by phrases like 'Hey Google' or 'OK Google.'

To qualify for the settlement, individuals must have purchased a qualifying device or lived in a home where their communications were recorded by the Google Assistant. The devices include Google Home, Home Mini, Home Max, Nest Hub, and Pixel smartphones.

The claim deadline is August 27, after which payments will be distributed based on the number of valid claims filed. Each qualifying device purchased earns four points, with a maximum of 12 points available for three devices. Those who lived in a household with a Google Assistant-equipped device may receive one point.