It's a Big Week for Google Privacy Violation Settlements

"Google's pockets are about $200 million lighter than they were coming into this week after the company agreed to two separate settlements for two separate class action lawsuits that accused the company of violating user privacy. $135 million will be paid in a case that alleged Google collected user cellular data without permission, and $68 million will go to put to bed a case that claimed Google allowed its Google Assistant to record private conversations without permission."

"The bigger payout related to Google's apparent practice of needlessly (or illegally, depending on your perspective) collecting cellular data even when a user had closed all Google apps, had location sharing turned off, and had locked their device's screen. Google allegedly used that data for product development and targeted advertising, which the lawsuit alleged was conversion, the wrongful acquisition of another party's property with the intent to control it. Per Reuters, the settlement is believed to be the largest ever in a conversion case."

"In addition to the money, they also got Google to agree ask for consent during device setup before transferring data, will add a toggle to give users the right to turn off transfers, and will disclose data transfers in its Google Play terms of service. Of course, Google will also admit no wrongdoing as part of the whole deal. The"

Google agreed to two class-action settlements totaling about $200 million for alleged privacy violations: $135 million over cellular data collection and $68 million over Google Assistant recordings. The larger suit accused Google of collecting cellular data even when apps were closed, location sharing was off, and devices were locked, alleging the data was used for product development and targeted advertising and characterizing the practice as conversion. Members of the class face a $100 payout cap. Remedies include asking for consent during device setup, adding a toggle to stop transfers, and disclosing transfers in Google Play terms, while Google admits no wrongdoing.

Read at gizmodo.com