Link: Google will settle its Assistant spying lawsuit for $68 million

Google is set to settle a class-action lawsuit for $68 million over unauthorized recordings triggered by false activations of its Google Assistant. The case highlighted privacy concerns, as recordings included sensitive personal conversations.

These incidental recordings, known as "False Accepts," occurred when devices mistakenly recognized noises or voices as their wake word. Reports revealed that even children’s voices could unintentionally activate the devices.

The lawsuit also alleged that Google shared these recordings for targeted advertising, a claim which Google has consistently denied. Apple and Amazon faced similar scrutiny, resulting in hefty settlements for similar privacy violations.

If approved, the settlement will compensate users with payouts ranging from $2 to $56, depending on their level of interaction with affected Google devices. Eligible devices include Google Home, Nest Hub, and various other Google-branded smart devices.

This proposed settlement reflects growing concerns over personal privacy with smart devices and the handling of inadvertently recorded audio. Technology companies are continually updating privacy measures in response to consumer and legal pressure.

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Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.