Fact · Voice privacy and security
In 2021 a federal judge found that Google's privacy policy did not sufficiently tell Assistant users it would use recordings made without manual activation or a hot word.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“it does not sufficiently apprise users that it will use recordings made in the absence of manual activation or a hot word utterance.”
Google must face Voice Assistant privacy lawsuit, U.S. judge says, NBC News, NBC News, 2021, Judge's findings paragraph.
Open the original- What it measures
- The judge allowed the proposed class action to proceed on privacy claims, and dismissed California consumer protection claims with leave to refile. Google had disclosed in its privacy policy how it collects information for targeted advertising.
- What it does not show
- A ruling on a motion to dismiss. It is a finding that the claims could go forward, not a finding of liability.