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. agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging 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. Class counsel filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement 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. They must have made the purchase either directly from Google or a third-party retailer. Purchases include Google Home, Home Mini, Home Max, Google Nest Hub, Next Hub Max and Pixel smartphones.
• Privacy settlement class: Any Google Assistant user 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 Google Assistant recorded 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. This includes non-Google devices, such as certain smartphones, smart speakers, smart displays or smart TVs with a microphone.

“Users” are 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 a claim to receive one or both of the following pro rata cash payments:

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

The settlement administrator will determine the cash value of each point by dividing the net settlement fund by the total number of points all valid claimants claim.

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. The settlement website will post the settlement notice and claim form after the court grants preliminary approval to the settlement.

A parent or legal guardian can submit a claim on behalf of a minor younger than age 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 the settlement administrator will send payment notifications digitally. Those whose contact information changes after submitting their claim must notify the claims administrator to ensure they receive payment.

Required proof and claim information

• All claims require the email address associated with the applicable Google device.
• Purchaser settlement class claims require the Google device model name, serial number and proof of purchase.
• Privacy settlement class claims require the 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: Up to $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
• 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?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to approved claimants approximately 90 days after the court grants resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Google Assistant sometimes activated and recorded users’ communications without intentional activation, known as “false accepts.” The plaintiffs claimed 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