Google has agreed to pay $1.375 billion to settle two major lawsuits filed by the state of Texas over alleged violations of privacy laws. The suits accused Google of unlawfully collecting and storing user data—including location history, voiceprints, and facial recognition details—without proper consent.
Filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2022, the lawsuits claimed Google’s practices with Incognito mode, Location History, and biometric data breached state privacy and consumer protection laws.
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Paxton stated, “Big Tech is not above the law,” accusing Google of secretly tracking users’ movements and personal data. He called the settlement—a record-breaking amount for a U.S. state—a legal victory.
The agreement doesn’t require Google to alter its products or admit guilt. A Google spokesperson said the deal resolves outdated claims that have been addressed, adding it allows the company to continue enhancing privacy features.
The lawsuits also alleged Google tracked users even when location tracking was turned off and misrepresented privacy protections in Incognito mode. They further cited unauthorized biometric data collection through platforms like Google Photos.
The settlement follows a similar $1.4 billion deal Texas reached with Meta last year over facial recognition issues. Officials have yet to announce how the Google settlement funds will be allocated.
