Lawsuit Alleges Google May Have Been Spying On Montana Users

Navigating the world of technology in 2026 can be tricky, especially when you have a device or app that comes with all of the bells and whistles.

Think about all of the technology we have access to in everyday settings: phones, voice command, artificial intelligence, etc. There's so much going on, it can be easy to miss or overlook certain features buried deep in tech's abilities.

Is Google Spying On Us?

Most of us have experienced a time where we felt like our devices were listening to us. That feeling usually arrives in the form of a random ad you're getting about something you were discussing with someone in-person.

But what if you weren't talking about that mattress you need to your friend? How do they know when to listen at the right time?

They don't.

And this is part of the reason Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit over allegations that they were, in fact, listening to us when they shouldn't have been.

According to a report from Reuters, "Google agreed to pay $68 million to settle a lawsuit claiming that its voice-activated assistant spied inappropriately on smartphone users, violating their privacy."

And while the "preliminary class action settlement" has already been filed in a California federal court, it will still require approval from a U.S. district judge.

Google Denies Wrongdoing, Agrees To Settle

Of course, Google isn't admitting to any wrongdoing in this lawsuit. Instead, they've agreed to pay out $68 million dollars... but I have a question.

If you're saying you didn't do anything wrong, then why in the world are you forking money out in the first place?

Look, I get it - Google has a gazillion dollars and when it comes to lawsuits like these, I'm sure enough money can convince anyone to turn a blind eye. And what lawyer pursuing a case like this wouldn't enjoy getting a major payday?

According to Reuters, plaintiff attorneys are expected to get "one-third of the settlement fund, or about $22.7 million, for legal fees."

It remains to be seen when consumers will be able to file a claim to get their portion of the settlement but you better believe we'll keep you posted.

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