Austin, Texas — Google will pay $1.375 billion to resolve allegations of data privacy violations levied by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The settlement addresses claims that the tech giant unlawfully tracked users’ geolocation, incognito searches, and biometric information.
In 2022, Texas initiated two lawsuits against Google, asserting that the company engaged in practices that infringed on user privacy. This settlement marks a significant milestone, as it is the largest payout by any state in a data-privacy claims case against Google, far exceeding previous settlements that did not surpass $93 million.
Google’s spokesperson, José Castañeda, stated that the company is satisfied to resolve these longstanding claims. He emphasized that many of these issues relate to policies that have already been revised. “We are pleased to put them behind us, and we will continue to build robust privacy controls into our services,” he noted.
This settlement comes on the heels of Google’s previous agreement to pay $391.5 million to a coalition of 40 states over similar allegations concerning location tracking without informed consent. Such legal actions reflect growing scrutiny over how tech companies handle user data and the need for transparency in digital privacy.
In the broader context of digital privacy, other companies have also faced significant penalties. Last year, Meta Platforms reached a $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over its handling of facial recognition technology and the use of photo tags. These actions underscore an ongoing trend of state-level crackdowns on how personal data is collected and utilized by major tech firms.
The financial implications of these settlements could prompt changes not only within Google but across the tech industry. Legal experts suggest that more stringent regulations and oversight may follow as state attorneys general nationwide ramp up efforts to safeguard consumer privacy.
With privacy concerns at the forefront of consumer awareness, companies are increasingly being held accountable for their data practices. The settlements signal a shift in how privacy violations are addressed and resolved in the digital landscape, and they may serve as a precedent for future cases against other tech giants.
As Google moves forward, the focus on enhancing privacy measures will be critical in rebuilding trust with users who are becoming increasingly vigilant regarding their personal information. The evolving regulatory environment indicates that this is likely just the beginning of intensified scrutiny over data practices in the tech sector.