Google has agreed to pay $1.375 billion to the U.S. state of Texas to settle two lawsuits. These lawsuits accused the tech giant of tracking users’ locations and collecting biometric data without consent. The settlement, announced in 2025, far exceeds previous fines that Google has paid to settle similar claims with other U.S. states. This payment is a significant step in addressing privacy concerns related to Google’s data practices.
The lawsuits, filed in 2022, centered on Google’s unlawful tracking of geolocation, search history, and biometric data.
Despite users disabling the Location History setting, Google continued to track their movements, collecting information on voiceprints and facial recognition without informed consent. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called this settlement a victory for privacy and emphasized that companies will face financial consequences for abusing user trust.
In response to these concerns, Google has made some changes to its data storage practices. The company now stores Maps Timeline data locally on users’ devices rather than in its accounts. Additionally, Google introduced privacy controls allowing users to delete location data when the Location History setting is turned on, improving transparency and user control over their information.
This settlement comes at a time when Google is facing intense scrutiny over privacy practices and antitrust concerns.
It rivals the $1.4 billion fine Meta paid to Texas for collecting biometric data without consent. The settlement highlights ongoing issues around tech companies’ handling of personal data and the increasing regulatory pressure on big tech firms globally.
Reference:
