Google settles $1.4 billion with Texas over unauthorized biometric data collection
Google settled a $1.375 billion dispute with Texas over allegations that its products collected facial and voice biometric data from users without authorization. The settlement resolved two consumer protection lawsuits, though Google did not admit wrongdoing.
What happened
Google settled a data privacy dispute with Texas for $1.375 billion over allegations that the company collected facial and voice biometric data from users without consent through its products and services.
According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Google secretly tracked users' movements, private searches, and facial and voice recognition data for years.
Reported impact
The settlement resolved two consumer protection lawsuits filed against Google related to alleged violations of Texas law.
Governance controls
Google stated that the settlement does not require new product modifications and that the company has already made changes in response to some of the allegations.
Google did not admit to committing any violations as part of the settlement agreement.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.