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Consumers who purchased a Google-made device or whose communications Google Assistant recorded in the United States or its territories between May 18, 2016, and March 19, 2026, may be eligible to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.
Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. agreed to pay $68,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging violations of privacy rights and breaches of their own privacy policies in connection with Google Assistant.
Who can file a claim?
There are two main groups of class member:
- Purchaser settlement class: Individuals who purchased a Google-made device in the United States or its territories between May 18, 2016, and March 19, 2026. Google-made devices include smart home speakers (Google Home, Home Mini and Home Max), smart displays (Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max) and Pixel smartphones.
- Privacy settlement class: Individuals who used Google Assistant or resided in a user’s household during the same period and whose communications Google Assistant recorded or obtained as a result of a “false accept” (when Google Assistant records audio after mistakenly detecting a hot word) or whose communications Google disclosed to a third-party review vendor.
Individuals eligible under both classes may file claims for both.
Additional definitions:
- Users: Individuals whose Google accounts included at least one Google Assistant-enabled device during the class period
- Household: A group of individuals sharing a common abode
- Google Assistant-enabled devices: Devices with Google Assistant preinstalled or available for download, including certain smartphones, smart speakers, smart displays or smart TVs with a microphone.
Parents or legal guardians may submit a claim on behalf of minors younger than age 18 as of Aug. 27, 2026.
How much can class members get?
The amount each class member receives depends on the total number of valid claims submitted and the category of claim. The settlement administrator will distribute the net settlement fund (after deductions for settlement administration costs, attorneys' fees and costs, and service awards to class representatives) among eligible claimants based on a point system.
- Purchaser settlement class: Each eligible device earns four points up to a maximum of three devices (maximum 12 points per claimant in this category).
- Privacy settlement class: Each eligible privacy class member claim earns one point (maximum one point per claimant in this category).
- Dual eligibility: Claimants who qualify under both classes can combine points up to a maximum of 13 points (12 for device purchases and one for privacy claim).
Once the claim period ends, the settlement administrator will total the number of points across all valid claims and divide the net settlement fund by the total number of points to determine the value per point. It will then calculate each claimant’s award by multiplying their total points by the per-point value.
All payments are subject to pro rata adjustment depending on the total number of claims and points.
If funds remain after the initial distribution (for example, due to uncashed checks), the settlement administrator may conduct a second distribution. If further distribution is not feasible, it will donate the remaining funds to a court-approved nonprofit organization.
How to claim a class action payment
Class members can submit the online claim form or download and print the PDF claim form to complete and mail to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator’s mailing address: Google Assistant Privacy Settlement, c/o A.B. Data Ltd., P.O. Box 170500, Milwaukee, WI 53217
Is proof or documentation required to submit a claim?
Yes.
- For purchaser settlement class claims, class members must provide proof of purchase for each Google-made device they claim. Acceptable documentation includes receipts or records showing the device model name and serial or IMEI number.
- For privacy settlement class claims, class members must attest in good faith that Google Assistant recorded or obtained their communications as a result of a false accept or disclosed their data to a third-party review vendor. The claims administrator may request additional information during the review process.
Payout options
- ACH (direct deposit to checking or savings account)
- Zelle
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Paper check mailed to the address provided in the claim
$68 million settlement fund breakdown
The $68,000,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $22,666,667
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $1,600,000
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $10,000 each for four representatives (up to $40,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim: Aug. 27, 2026
- Fairness hearing: Oct. 1, 2026
When is the Google Assistant privacy settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Google Assistant sometimes activated and recorded communications without intentional user input, such as when it mistakenly detected a hot word. The plaintiffs claimed Google improperly collected, used and disclosed these audio recordings, sharing them with third-party vendors for review. The plaintiffs say this conduct violated privacy rights and breached Google’s own privacy policies.
Google denied all allegations and did not admit any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of further litigation.
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