North Carolina, You May Be Entitled To Up To $5,000 If You Have This Device

Google Assistant-enabled devices listen for users to say the activation phrases, “Hey Google” or “Okay Google.” When the device detects these phrases, it records what you say and sends the recording to Google to answer your question. However, Google Assistant is accused of recording other conversations and sending those recordings to Google for analysis without the users’ knowledge.

 If you have used Google Assistant with a device such as a Pixel phone, Google Hub, Nest, or Chromecast TV, you might be entitled to up to $5,000 in compensation.

Belgian Media Reveals Privacy Breach in Google Assistant Recordings

Belgian news media outlet VRT NWS reported that thousands of Google employees systematically listen to audio files recorded by Google Home smart speakers and the Google Assistant smartphone app. This practice includes audio that does not contain the activation phrases "Hey Google" or "Okay Google."

When users interact with Google Assistant’s speech recognition feature, the software automatically generates a script of the conversation, which is then stored along with the audio recording. Google employees and subcontractors are subsequently tasked with analyzing whether Google Assistant has accurately interpreted the individual's speech. VRT NWS confirmed this process through three independent sources and was granted access to over a thousand audio recordings. Among these, 153 conversations were identified that "should never have been recorded," as the command "Okay Google" was not given.

What Kind Of Conversation Did Google Record?

The unauthorized recordings include sensitive and private conversations, such as bedroom discussions, interactions between parents and their children, and professional phone calls containing confidential information. This breach of privacy has raised significant concerns among users and privacy advocates.

In response to these findings, the law firm Labaton is pursuing private arbitration claims against Google on behalf of affected Google Assistant users. The claims argue that Google recorded and analyzed private conversations without the users' consent, as required by law. If successful, affected users could be entitled to compensation of up to $5,000 each.

File For Your Claim Here

Starting a claim is free and takes less than two minutes.

Google Assistant is designed to provide users with easy access to information available on the internet and control over other internet-connected devices using voice commands. To use this feature, Google Assistant-enabled devices listen for users to say the activation phrases, “Hey Google” or “Okay Google.” When the device detects these phrases, it records what you say and sends the recording to Google to answer your question or fulfill your request. However, Google Assistant is accused of recording any conversations it picks up if anything sounding remotely like the activation phrases is spoken, and sending those recordings to Google for analysis without the users’ knowledge. If you have used Google Assistant with a device such as a Pixel phone, Google Hub, Nest, or Chromecast TV, you might be entitled to up to $5,000 in compensation.

This revelation has ignited a broader conversation about privacy in the digital age and the ethical responsibilities of tech giants in handling user data. As the case progresses, it will likely prompt increased scrutiny of data practices across the technology industry and potentially lead to more stringent regulations to protect consumer privacy.

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