Coming Soon: $68M Google Device Privacy Class Action Settlement

Consumers who purchased a Google device or had their communications recorded by Google Assistant between May 16, 2016 and the date of preliminary approval, may be eligible to submit a claim for a cash payment from a proposed class action settlement. The pending settlement is a culmination of almost 13 years of litigation over alleged privacy violations.

Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. have agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that Google Assistant recorded users’ communications without intentional activation and disclosed those recordings to third parties, in violation of privacy rights and Google’s own privacy policies. A motion for preliminary approval of the settlement was filed in federal court on Jan. 23, 2026.

Who can file a claim for a Google privacy payout?

Class members may be included in one or both of the following classes:

• Purchaser settlement class: Any user who purchased a Google-made device in the United States or its territories between May 16, 2016 and the date of preliminary approval of the settlement. The purchase must have been made either directly from Google or a third-party retailer and include Google Home, Home Mini, Home Max, Google Nest Hub, Next Hub Max and Pixel smartphones.
• Privacy settlement class: Any user of Google Assistant or member of a user’s household in the United States or its territories between May 16, 2016 and the date of preliminary approval, whose communications were recorded by Google Assistant as a result of a “False Accept” (when the device records without intentional activation) or disclosed to a third-party review vendor. Google Assistant devices are any device with Google Assistant pre-installed or available for download and includes non-Google devices such as certain smartphones, smart speakers, smart displays, or smart TVs with a microphone.

“Users” are defined as individuals whose Google accounts were associated with at least one Google Assistant enabled device during the class period.

Are there any exclusions from the class?

Household devices, such as thermostats, vacuums, humidifiers, and other electronic tools and devices that are not equipped with a microphone, or that do not have Google Assistant

pre-installed and do not have the capability of having a Google Assistant application downloaded, do not qualify for the settlement.

How much will the settlement payment be?

Class members can submit to receive one or both of the following pro rata cash payments:

• Purchaser settlement class: Class member can claim up to three Google-made devices. Each eligible device is worth four points, for a maximum of 12 points. Final payment amount will be determined by the total number of claims filed.
• Privacy settlement class: Class members submitting a privacy claim will receive one point. Final payment amount will be determined by the total number of claims filed.

The cash value of each point will be determined by dividing the net settlement fund by the total number of points claimed by all valid claimants.

Example Payment calculation

Suppose the net settlement fund is $45,000,000 after deductions, and there are 1,000,000 total points claimed between both classes:

• Each point would be worth $45 ($45,000,000 ÷ 1,000,000 points).
• A purchaser settlement class member claiming three devices (12 points) would receive $540 (12 × $45).
• A privacy settlement class member with one point would receive $45.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a Google settlement payment, class members can file a claim online or print a claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. Official settlement notice and the claim form will be made available to class members after the settlement is granted preliminary approval by the court.

A parent or legal guardian can submit a claim on behalf of a minor under the age of 18 as of the date of preliminary approval.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Google Assistant Privacy Settlement c/o A.B. Data Ltd. P.O. Box 170500 Milwaukee, WI 53217

Claimants must provide current contact information, including a valid email address and mobile phone number, as payment notifications will be sent digitally. If your contact information changes after submitting your claim, you must notify the claims administrator to ensure you receive your payment.

Required proof and claim information

• Email address associated with applicable Google device required on all claims.
• Purchaser settlement class claims require Google device model name, serial number and proof of purchase.
• Privacy settlement class claims require Google Assistant enabled device model name and serial number.

Payout options

• Digital payment
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

$68 million Google settlement fund

The $68,000,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Estimated up to $1,000,000
• Attorneys’ fees: Up to $22,666,667
• Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $1,600,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $10,000 each
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: TBD
• Fairness hearing: TBD

When is the Google Assistant privacy settlement payout date?

Payments will be issued to approved claimants approximately 90 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged that Google Assistant sometimes activated and recorded users’ communications without intentional activation, known as “False Accepts.” Plaintiffs claimed that Google collected, used, and disclosed these recordings in violation of privacy rights and Google’s privacy policy, including sharing data with third-party vendors.

Google denies all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty and expense of further litigation and a possible trial.

Sources

1. Proposed class notice
2. Proposed claim form
3. Proposed settlement agreement