The main allegations concerned so-called "false activations," where the voice assistant would turn on without the phrases "Okay, Google" or "Hey, Google," recording personal data that could be used for ad targeting.
Despite its willingness to pay compensation, Google does not admit any wrongdoing and claims that the agreement was reached to avoid lengthy litigation and reduce reputational risks.
This incident is yet another example of the ongoing struggle between users and regulators for data privacy protection, in which Google often finds itself in the spotlight.
For users, this means an acknowledgment of the issue of false activations and a step toward stricter oversight of personal information protection. The company should increase transparency in the use of voice technologies and strengthen data protection measures.
The completion of the process depends on the approval of the agreement by a federal court judge, after which it will take effect. If approved, users affected by false activations will be able to submit claims for compensation.
