Google is settling a class action lawsuit related to the unauthorized recording of conversations by its devices. The proposed settlement amount is $68 million, stemming from a 2019 report by VRT NWS that revealed human contractors listened to audio captured when devices like Pixel phones and Google Home speakers were triggered unintentionally. The lawsuit claims that Google recorded individuals' private communications without consent during these "False Accepts," where the Assistant activated without the proper trigger phrase, “Ok Google.” The plaintiffs allege that these recordings included sensitive personal information and were improperly shared with third parties for targeted advertising, a claim Google denies while also asserting no wrongdoing. In a similar vein, both Apple and Amazon faced backlash over inadvertent recordings tied to their AI systems back in 2019. Apple settled a comparable lawsuit in January 2025 for $95 million, maintaining that it did not use recordings for ad targeting. If the settlement is finalized, it will benefit users whose Google accounts were linked to devices with Google Assistant pre-installed since 2016, including various models of Pixel phones and Google Home devices. Eligible customers could receive payouts ranging from $18 to $56, while those who used Google Assistant or lived with an Assistant device that captured their conversations could receive $2 to $10. The outcome highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and data handling in tech companies.