For many years, there’s been a lingering suspicion among users that Google listens in on their conversations through smartphones, targeting them with ads for products mentioned in casual chats, despite not being actively searched online. While no wrongdoing has been confirmed, recent developments have reignited interest in these claims. This follows Google’s decision to settle a lengthy illegal wiretapping lawsuit for $68 million, citing reasons like “uncertainty, risk, expense, inconvenience, and distraction.”
Lawsuit
This class action lawsuit was initiated back in July 2019. It accused Google and Android devices using the Google Assistant’s hotword detection of potentially recording conversations and sending that data to Google servers without user consent.
Hotwords allow users to access their assistants hands-free by simply uttering phrases instead of physically interacting with their devices. To determine if hotword detection is enabled on your phone, one can check by saying “OK, Google” or “Hey, Google” for Android users, or “Hey, Siri” for iPhone users. If the device activates, it indicates it’s actively listening.
However, it’s essential to clarify that hotword detection should only respond to specific trigger phrases before requesting further information. The lawsuit claims that Google and Android devices recorded information without users explicitly invoking those hotwords.
Though Google Assistant is specifically named in the lawsuit, the service has transitioned to a newer AI known as Gemini. Remarkably, Gemini functions similarly, allowing commands with the same hotwords. So, in essence, the potential for recording remains.
Google’s Eavesdropping Landscape
The challenge with Google Assistant and now Gemini is their integration across a broad range of devices. Most Android phones, including Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, come with hotword detection. For Android enthusiasts, this essentially means carrying around a device that’s always poised to listen for certain commands.
But it’s not just smartphones. The service also extends to Google’s smart home products, like Google Home and those branded under Google Nest. It’s even present on Android tablets and Wear OS smartwatches such as Google Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch.
In fact, this capability is widespread within Google’s vast ecosystem, covering about 4 billion devices globally, leaving an extensive data gathering potential.
Disabling Hotword Detection on Android Devices
While Google’s hotword detection can be quite handy—like getting directions, playing music, or sending messages without touching the device—some users might prefer to disable it completely to maintain privacy.
- Launch the Google app on your Android smartphone.
- Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings.”
- Look for “Gemini” in the settings.
- Head to “Talk to Gemini hands-free.”
- Finally, turn off the toggles for “Hey, Google” and “While Driving.”
Google Home and Google Nest devices also feature a physical microphone switch, which users can toggle off to prevent any audio recording altogether.
Settlement
As part of the settlement terms, Google has agreed to pay $68 million, applicable for users affected between May 18, 2016, and December 16, 2022, pending approval from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. If this settlement pertains to Google services you’ve used, you might be entitled to compensation—up to $56 per device, particularly favoring owners of first-party Google products. Keep in mind that you will need to complete a valid application form, which is not yet available.
Interestingly, Google is not alone in facing such accusations; Apple has also settled a similar lawsuit regarding its Siri feature, amounting to $95 million.
This indicates a notable shift as major tech companies begin to reckon with privacy violations. The real question now is what improvements may come in the wake of these settlements.
