Tech news alert! Google has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to the state of Texas to settle claims that it collected users' data without permission. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized this settlement as a strong message: "In Texas, Big Tech is not above the law."
The allegations, first raised in 2022, accuse Google of secretly tracking geolocation data, incognito browsing habits, and even collecting biometric identifiers like voiceprints and facial geometry through products such as Google Photos and Google Assistant.
Google’s spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, noted that the agreement settles a number of long-standing claims, with many related to outdated product policies that have since been updated. Importantly, the settlement does not require any immediate changes to Google’s current services.
This $1.4 billion payout marks the largest data privacy settlement ever secured by a U.S. state with Google. The deal comes on the heels of previous settlements, including a December 2023 agreement worth $700 million concerning competition issues in its app store, as well as a similar resolution involving Meta Platforms over biometric data claims.
For many, this settlement represents a significant win for privacy rights, reinforcing the message that all companies—including the giants of Big Tech—must respect personal privacy. Protecting your data has never been more important! 🔒💪
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Google to pay Texas $1.4 billion to settle data privacy claims
cgtn.com
