Google Agrees to $1.375 Billion Settlement with Texas Over Data Privacy Violations

By Devin Breitenberg

In a landmark agreement, Google has consented to pay $1.375 billion to the state of Texas to resolve allegations concerning the unauthorized collection and use of user data. This settlement, announced by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, addresses claims that the tech giant unlawfully gathered sensitive information, including geo-location data, incognito browsing activity, and biometric identifiers such as facial and voice data, without obtaining proper user consent.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

The lawsuit, initiated in 2022, accused Google of violating Texas's data privacy and security laws by systematically collecting and utilizing personal data without adequate disclosure or user approval. Services implicated in these practices included Google Photos and Google Assistant, which allegedly harvested biometric data like facial geometry and voiceprints.

Attorney General Paxton emphasized that this settlement represents a significant stance against the misuse of personal data by major technology firms, stating that Texas will not tolerate violations of its citizens' privacy rights.

Google's Response

While agreeing to the financial terms, Google has not admitted any wrongdoing. The company contends that the allegations pertain to out-dated product policies that have since been revised. Importantly, the settlement does not mandate any changes to Google's current products or services.

Broader Context

This is not the first time Google has faced legal challenges from Texas. In previous years, the company agreed to a $700 million settlement over anticompetitive practices related to its Android app store and an $8 million settlement concerning deceptive advertising for its Pixel 4 smartphone.

The current settlement also follows a similar $1.4 billion agreement between Texas and Meta (formerly Facebook) over the unauthorized collection and use of biometric data.

Implications

This substantial settlement underscores the increasing scrutiny and regulatory actions that major technology companies face regarding data privacy and user consent. It serves as a precedent for other states and countries aiming to enforce stricter data protection laws and holds tech giants accountable for their data handling practices.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this case highlights the importance of transparency and user rights in the realm of data privacy.

Devin Breitenberg is a legal consultant and senior counsel at Devin Law LLC and legal contributor  for Veritas Expositae.  You can reach her at devin.breitenberg@veritasexpositae.com