Google Assistant Privacy Settlement: Points, Eligibility and Payouts

The classes have different requirements. A “User” is an individual living in the United States or its territories whose Google account was linked to at least one Google Assistant Enabled Device during the class period. A household is people who share a home.

• For the Purchaser Settlement Class, you must be a User and must have bought a Google-Made Device in the United States or its territories during the class period.
• For the Privacy Settlement Class, you must be a Google Assistant User or a member of that User’s household during the class period, and the notice’s recording or third-party-review condition must apply.
• You can belong to one or both classes.

The purchaser payment category is limited to Google-Made Devices. The privacy category can involve a broader range of Google Assistant Enabled Devices.

• A Google-Made Device is made and sold by Google, directly or through a retailer, and has Google Assistant already installed or available to download.
• Examples listed in the notice include Google Home, Home Mini, Home Max, Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Hub Max, and Pixel smartphones.
• A Google Assistant Enabled Device can also be made by another company, if it has a microphone and Google Assistant is preinstalled or can be downloaded.

This definition matters only to the Privacy Settlement Class. That class may also cover communications disclosed to a third-party review vendor.

• A False Accept happens when a device detects a Google Assistant activation phrase even though no activation phrase was spoken, then records and sends audio to Google’s servers.
• The listed activation phrases include “OK Google” and “Hey Google.”

If a person qualifies for both classes, the notice’s point system provides points for the applicable Purchaser and Privacy Class portions of that person’s claim. The eventual dollar amount cannot be calculated yet because it depends on eligible claims and their total points.

• Purchaser Class claimants receive four points for each eligible Google-Made Device included in the claim, with a maximum of three devices.
• Privacy Class claimants receive one point.
• The net fund is divided based on the total points awarded to each valid, timely claimant. The notice does not provide a dollar amount per point.

A claim is the only way to seek a payment. Bulk claims submitted by a claims aggregator or an asserted assignee are not allowed.

• Submit a valid Claim Form online or mail it so it is postmarked by August 27, 2026.
• Each person generally files an individual claim. A parent or legal guardian files for a qualifying minor.
• The claim must be personally signed under penalty of perjury. The notice says supporting information or documents may be required, but it does not identify the specific documents in the notice itself.
• If an email notice provided a Unique ID and PIN, use them when filing. A person who did not receive those codes may still file if they are a Settlement Class Member.

This rejoining rule applies specifically to people who timely opted out of the earlier certified Purchaser Class.

• A person who opted out of the certified Purchaser Class in 2024 remains excluded unless they rejoin.
• Submitting a valid, timely Claim Form by August 27, 2026 withdraws that earlier exclusion and rejoins the settlement classes.
• Someone who remains excluded cannot file a claim in this settlement.

The exclusion request has detailed required contents, including identifying and class-membership information, an opt-out statement, and a personal signature. A parent or guardian may sign for a minor.

• Opting out means leaving the settlement. You will not receive a settlement payment, but you keep any right you may have to bring your own case about the claims resolved here.
• An exclusion request must be made individually. It may be submitted through the settlement website’s exclusion portal by August 27, 2026, or mailed by First-Class U.S. Mail with an August 27, 2026 postmark.
• If a person who did not previously opt out submits both a claim and a timely exclusion request, the exclusion controls and the claim is invalid unless the person cancels the exclusion request.

The notice does not state a payment date.

• The Court is scheduled to hold the Final Approval Hearing on October 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time in San Jose.
• The Court may change the hearing date, time, or deadlines.
• Payments are not due merely because the hearing occurs. Authorized claimants are paid only if the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.