Google Pays $68M to Settle Lawsuit Over Voice-Activated Assistant

Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit over its voice-activated assistant, Google Assistant. The settlement covers users of Google Assistant-enabled devices, including certain Google-made smartphones and smart-home devices. Eligible residents must complete and submit a valid claim form by August 27, 2026, to receive a payment from the fund.

The lawsuit accused Google of allowing its voice-activated assistant to record private conversations without users' knowledge. The information could be used for targeted advertising, according to plaintiffs. Google did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement and agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty, expense, risk, and distraction associated with continuing the litigation.

Eligible claimants may include those who purchased a Google-made device in the US or its territories between May 18, 2016, and March 19, 2026. They must also have been a Google Assistant user or member of a user's household during that time period and had their communications recorded by Google Assistant as a result of a 'False Accept' or disclosed to a third-party review vendor.