Source URL: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/05/10/0430217/google-will-pay-14-billion-to-texas-to-settle-claims-it-collected-user-data-without-permission?utm_source=rss1.0mainlinkanon&utm_medium=feed
Source: Slashdot
Title: Google Will Pay $1.4 Billion to Texas to Settle Claims It Collected User Data Without Permission
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Summary: The settlement between Google and the state of Texas addresses significant privacy violations related to data collection practices. This event underscores the ongoing scrutiny tech companies face regarding user data privacy, making it particularly relevant for professionals in compliance and privacy sectors.
Detailed Description: The agreement between Google and Texas signifies a landmark moment in data privacy and compliance, as the state has successfully negotiated a settlement that highlights severe issues surrounding user data collection practices. Key points include:
– **Settlement Details**: Google will pay $1.4 billion to resolve claims concerning unauthorized data collection from users.
– **Government Stance**: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton emphasized that tech companies must adhere to the law and cannot exploit user data without consent, framing this settlement as a message to Big Tech.
– **Data Privacy Violations**: The allegations specify that Google unlawfully tracked user movements, searched data, and collected biometric data, including voiceprints and facial geometry, through its products (e.g., Google Photos, Google Assistant).
– **Company Response**: Google acknowledged the settlement as a way to put “old claims” behind it while asserting that it will enhance privacy controls without requiring any changes to its products going forward.
– **Significance of Settlement Amount**: Texas’s settlement amount is notable, vastly exceeding any previous agreements related to data privacy violations in other states or even multistate coalitions.
– **Implications for Privacy**: This case serves as a precedent in the ongoing discourse about privacy rights and data security. It represents a vital win for consumer privacy and reflects an increasing trend towards stricter regulations on data collection practices as public awareness and legal actions grow in this domain.
This settlement highlights the importance for companies in the tech industry to implement robust privacy practices and compliance measures to avoid substantial legal repercussions and maintain user trust.