Google to Pay $68 Million Over Unauthorized Collection of Users’ Voice Data

California, United States January 26, 2026 Technology giant Google has reached a preliminary settlement agreement to pay $68 million in a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of unlawfully collecting users’ private voice data through its Google Assistant technology without proper consent.

According to a report by Reuters, court filings from San Jose, California, indicate that the lawsuit alleges Google recorded conversations and voice interactions of users without their authorization and later used that data for advertising and commercial purposes.

Who Will Receive Compensation?

Under the proposed settlement, individuals who purchased devices equipped with Google Assistant may receive compensation ranging from $18 to $56, depending on how long they used the devices and the extent of the data collection.

Meanwhile, users who interacted with Google Assistant or lived in households where the technology was present may be eligible for payments between $2 and $10.

The variation in compensation reflects the court’s assessment that device owners were more directly impacted than indirect users.

The settlement applies to individuals who began using Google Assistant on or after May 18, 2025.

Allegations Against Google

The lawsuit accuses Google of:

• Collecting voice recordings without user consent
• Monitoring private conversations beyond intended activation commands
• Using collected data for targeted advertising
• Failing to clearly inform users how their voice data was stored and used

As a result, plaintiffs sought compensation for violations of privacy rights and emotional distress.

Although Google has agreed to the settlement, the agreement still requires approval from a federal judge before payments can be issued.

How Google Assistant Works

Google Assistant is activated by voice commands such as “Hey Google” or “Okay Google”, after which the system records audio to process user requests.

However, the lawsuit claims that the assistant sometimes activated unintentionally, capturing private conversations without users’ knowledge.

Growing Scrutiny of Big Tech Privacy Practices

This case adds to increasing global scrutiny of how major technology companies handle personal data.

• In November 2025, Google faced another lawsuit related to its artificial intelligence system Gemini, accused of collecting conversational data without permission.
• In September 2025, Google agreed to pay more than $420 million in a separate data privacy case.
• In December 2024, Apple agreed to pay $95 million over allegations that its voice assistant Siri recorded users without consent.

Privacy Concerns in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

The settlement highlights growing concerns over privacy in the era of artificial intelligence and voice-activated technologies. As digital assistants become increasingly integrated into daily life, regulators and consumers alike are demanding greater transparency, stronger consent mechanisms, and stricter enforcement of data protection laws.

Experts warn that failure to safeguard personal data undermines public trust and exposes companies to legal and reputational risks.