Texas Forces Google to Surrender $1.4 Billion in Unprecedented Privacy Battle

After a fierce legal battle over privacy concerns, Google has agreed to pay Texas a record-breaking $1.375 billion settlement. This massive payment resolves two lawsuits filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2022. The legal action accused the tech giant of tracking users’ location, collecting data during incognito browsing, and gathering biometric information like facial geometry and voice samples without proper permission.

The settlement represents the largest recovery ever secured by a state attorney general against Google for privacy law violations. While agreeing to the payment, Google hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing. The company claims it had already updated its policies related to the issues raised in the lawsuit before the settlement was reached.

Texas alleged that Google violated state privacy laws, particularly those protecting biometric data. The lawsuits claimed Google collected sensitive information such as voiceprints and facial geometry without Texans’ consent. These practices potentially violated Texas’s Use Biometric Act, which sets strict rules for how companies can collect and use such personal data.

Google’s alleged data collection of Texans’ voiceprints and facial geometry violated state biometric privacy laws.

Attorney General Paxton celebrated the outcome as a significant victory against Big Tech. “This settlement sends a clear message that in Texas, even the biggest tech companies must follow our privacy laws,” Paxton stated. He emphasized that Google’s alleged actions represented a serious breach of trust with users.

Google’s official response expressed relief at putting “old claims behind us” while asserting the company continues to build strong privacy controls for users. The tech company also defended its products, saying features like Google Photos simply group similar pictures together rather than using facial recognition for advertising purposes. The company spokesperson José Castañeda noted that many product policies have already changed.

This case follows a recent pattern where Texas has targeted major tech companies, including a $700 million settlement with Google over anticompetitive practices.

The historic settlement highlights growing tensions between tech companies and state regulators over data privacy. While Google will pay the substantial sum, the agreement doesn’t require the company to change its current products or services.

The case may influence how other states approach privacy enforcement actions against major technology companies in the future.