Key points of the lawsuit included instances of so-called "false activations": users claimed that the voice assistant activated without using the phrases "Okay, Google" or "Hey, Google," allowing it to capture their personal data, which could be used for targeted advertising.
Although Google agreed to the payout, the company has not officially admitted any wrongdoing, noting that this settlement is aimed at saving time and resources, as well as minimizing potential reputational consequences.
This incident is part of a prolonged struggle between users and regulators over data protection, and Google continues to be at the center of such scandals.
From the users' perspective, this decision acknowledges the issue of false activations and signals the need for stricter privacy controls. For Google itself, it highlights the importance of increasing transparency in voice technology and the necessity of enhancing data protection measures.
The agreement must be approved by a federal court judge before it takes effect. If this occurs, users affected by false activations will be able to receive compensation.
