SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Google is facing a class action alleging the company is violating Illinois state law by capturing and storing people's voiceprints through Google Assistant.
Ryan Segal, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Oct. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Google LLC alleging violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act and other claims.
Segal alleges in his class action that through its Google Assistant, Google is collecting and storing voiceprints of users without their knowledge. He claims Google fails to disclose that each person who speaks into the Google Assistant-enabled device is having their biometric data collected. Segal alleges that Google does not disclose the biometric data collection of its users or properly inform users in writing the purpose and length of time their biometric data is being collected, stored and used.
He further alleges Google did not obtain a written release from him to collect, capture and use his biometric information in violation of Illinois law. Segal claims Google has violated the privacy rights of Illinois residents and that Google Assistant records every voice it detects and creates voiceprints and that the company has benefited from the practice at the class members expense.
Segal and the class seek monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Christian Levis, Amanda Fiorilla and Rachel Kesten of Lowey Dannenberg PC in White Plains, New York and Mark Todzo and Eric Somers of The Lexington Law Group in San Francisco.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 5:22-CV-06398