Google has agreed to pay $1.4 billion to the state of Texas to resolve two lawsuits that accused the tech giant of infringing upon user privacy rights. The legal actions claimed that Google collected biometric data without proper consent and continued to track users’ locations, even when location services were turned off.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the significance of this settlement, highlighting that Big Tech companies, including Google, are subject to the law. “For years, Google secretly tracked people’s movements, private searches, and even their voiceprints and facial geometry through their products and services. I fought back and won,” he stated. Paxton described the $1.375 billion settlement as a substantial victory for the privacy rights of Texas residents, reiterating his commitment to protecting citizens from breaches of trust by tech corporations.
The lawsuits also encompassed allegations of Google misusing location history within its Maps application and data collected through Photos. Texas accused Google of using features in Photos to analyze facial recognition without proper consent. In response, Google has maintained that the facial recognition technology in Photos is used solely for organizational purposes.
Jose Castaneda, a spokesperson for Google, acknowledged the settlement but denied any wrongdoing. “This resolves a range of old claims, many of which have already been settled in other jurisdictions, regarding product policies that we have long since revised,” he remarked. Castaneda expressed relief to move forward and reiterated Google’s commitment to enhancing privacy controls across its services.
This settlement marks a significant chapter in ongoing discussions about the ethics of data collection and privacy in the digital age. The case reflects broader concerns regarding how tech companies manage user information and the potential implications for consumer trust.
As tech firms face increased scrutiny from regulators and activists, the Texas settlement may prompt similar actions in other states, reinforcing the importance of consumer rights in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
The outcomes of such legal battles could influence the development of privacy legislation and the practices of technology companies nationwide.
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