David Bridges
Google has agreed to pay Texas a substantial sum of $1.4 billion to resolve two lawsuits that accused the tech giant of violating individuals’ privacy rights. This legal battle centers around serious allegations that Google improperly collected users’ biometric data without explicit consent and continued to track user locations even when the tracking feature was disabled.
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In a recent statement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized the importance of holding Big Tech accountable, declaring, “In Texas, Big Tech is not above 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. This $1.375 billion settlement represents a significant victory for the privacy of Texans and sends a clear message to companies that they will face consequences for violating our trust. I will continually fight to protect Texans by curbing the attempts of Big Tech to profit at the expense of our rights and freedoms.”
Mashable Light Speed
The lawsuits included claims that Google misused location data from Google Maps and personal data stored in Google Photos. The State of Texas specifically alleged that Google utilized features in Photos to scan users’ faces without consent. In response, Google stated to Engadget that the facial recognition technology in Photos was implemented solely for organizational purposes. Despite agreeing to the settlement, Google maintained that it did not engage in any wrongdoing.
In a statement to CNBC, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda remarked, “This settlement resolves a number of longstanding claims, many of which have already been addressed through other means, regarding product policies that we have since revised. We are pleased to move past these issues and remain committed to enhancing privacy controls within our services.”
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Brandon Fletcher
