Google has agreed to pay $1.4 billion (€1.2 billion) to the State of Texas to settle a lawsuit related to the use of private data, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Friday.
In 2022, Paxton filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the internet giant of collecting biometric data from millions of people without their informed consent for years. He claimed Google gathered millions of biometric fingerprints, such as voice texture and facial geometric structure, using photo storage and editing services, as well as voice-activated devices.
“Big Tech isn’t above the law in Texas,” Paxton stated in a press release. “This $1.4 billion settlement is a significant victory for the privacy of Texans. It shows companies that they will pay if they abuse our trust. I will always protect Texans by ending Big Tech’s attempts to profit from our rights and freedoms.”
In response, a Google spokesperson noted the settlement addressed two cases and three complaints. “This decision resolves a series of long-standing complaints, many of which have already been settled elsewhere, concerning product policies we revised a long time ago,” the company said. “We are pleased to put this behind us and will continue to implement stringent privacy controls within our services.”
