Google pays $68M to settle claims its voice assistant spied on users

https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/26/google-pays-68-million-to-settle-claims-its-voice-assistant-spied-on-users/

139 points · 11 comments · view on lemmy.world

11 Comments

474D@lemmy.world · 42 pts · 207d

So basically, a minimal cost of business? This won't deter them from the next violation. Probably paid with a smile on their faces

LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 33 pts · 207d (2 replies)

Didn't see it in the article, but who gets this money? Do they send the 4 billion people using Android $0.017 for illegally spying on them?

The idea that sending the money to the people would cost outrageously more than the payout shows how ludicrously small the payout is.

ScoffingLizard@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 206d

In want my share. In fact, we can dispute the settlement. Where the fuck is my money? We should ask.

Niquarl@lemmy.ml · 4 pts · 207d

It's a class action lawsuit so i think the people that sued ?

gaymer@aussie.zone · 29 pts · 207d
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digital_digger@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 207d

That's not even 0.05% of what Alphabet earn in 2025. So it's peanuts, they continue to harm and do whatever they want.

onlooker@lemmy.ml · 8 pts · 206d

These fines are so toothless, it's pathetic.

Kallestar@lemmy.ml · 6 pts · 206d (1 reply)

Maybe I can get Google's lawyers to help settle a lawsuit my neighbors brought against me for installing spycams in all their bathrooms for a similar portion of my exorbitant wealth. Every neighbor will get an IOU for $0.000069.

Soooorry. We're sooooo sorry. Pwease forgive us... actually we don't care if you forgive us. This settlement prohibits any further indemnification. No wrongdoing, and you're libeling us if you say otherwise. See ya'll in court next week.

Wilco@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 206d

Yea, the courts just dont fine businesses correctly. They made billions off spying and just pay a small percentage. Just like wage theft.

CallMeAnAI@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 207d

The case centered on “false accepts,” wherein Google Assistant is alleged to have activated and recorded the user’s communications even if they had not intentionally prompted it to do so with a wake word. TechCrunch reached out to Google for comment.

Absolute nothing burger that was cheaper to send away and pay.

SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 206d

My lab had a very specific discussion about very specific reagent on Zoom and the next day I got ads for it.

phoenixz@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 206d

So a % of a % of a % of their profits

That will most surely teach these criminals.

CAN. WE. PLEASE. START. JAILING. CRIMINALS. THAT. BREAK. THE. LAW.