Google Settles Texas Privacy Lawsuit for $1.4B

Google has agreed to pay nearly $1.4 billion to Texas to settle lawsuits alleging it tracked users even when location services were off, collected sensitive biometric data like face geometry and voiceprints without consent, and misled users about privacy protections in Incognito mode. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton described the settlement as a historic win and the largest state privacy settlement involving Google, following a similar agreement with Meta last year. The lawsuits, filed in 2022, accused Google of unauthorized data collection and deceptive trade practices relating to Incognito mode, Location History, and biometrics. Google did not admit wrongdoing and noted it has already updated the relevant product policies, making further changes unnecessary under the settlement. The agreement highlights increased state-level scrutiny and enforcement over Big Tech's handling of personal data. Outside law firms worked on a contingency basis to represent Texas in the litigation.