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Tag: Ken Paxton

  • Texas AG Sues Google for ‘Unauthorized’ Biometric Data Collection

    Texas AG Sues Google for ‘Unauthorized’ Biometric Data Collection

    Texas Attorney General Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Google over the company’s biometric data collection.

    Texas is already involved in legal action against Google, but the latest lawsuit alleges the company has collected and used the biometric data of users without obtaining consent.

    “Google’s indiscriminate collection of the personal information of Texans, including very sensitive information like biometric identifiers, will not be tolerated,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said. “I will continue to fight Big Tech to ensure the privacy and security of all Texans.”

    AG Paxton alleges that Google is in violation of the state’s Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act. The suit alleges that Google illegally collects face geometry, voiceprints, and more for Google Assistant, Google Photos, and Nest Hub Max.

    Lawsuits over companies’ use of biometrics have been gaining traction. In 2020, Facebook agreed to a $550 million settlement in an Illinois case over the company’s use of biometric data. In that case, Facebook was accused of violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.

    With the Illinois case as precedent, Google may well find itself on the back foot in Texas.

  • Texas AG Sues Meta Over ‘Unauthorized Biometric Data’ Collection

    Texas AG Sues Meta Over ‘Unauthorized Biometric Data’ Collection

    Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Meta over allegations Facebook collected customers’ biometric data without their consent.

    Biometric data can refer to fingerprints, eye scans, voiceprints, face, or hand geometry. It’s increasingly being used as a way to improve security over a PIN code or standard password. Unfortunately, biometric data can also represent a major security risk of its own, especially if companies’ databases containing the data are compromised or stolen.

    According to AG Paxton, Facebook improperly collected and stored biometric data without first obtaining customer consent. Such action would be in violation of the Texas’ Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

    “Facebook will no longer take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one’s safety and well-being,” Attorney General Paxton said. “This is yet another example of Big Tech’s deceitful business practices and it must stop. I will continue to fight for Texans’ privacy and security.”

    The full lawsuit can be found here.

  • States Sue Google For Antitrust Violations

    States Sue Google For Antitrust Violations

    As predicted, a coalition of 10 states have sued Google for alleged monopolistic behavior in digital advertising.

    The DOJ filed a lawsuit against Google in October, accusing the company of abusing its monopoly in the search business. Shortly after, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned that state lawsuits would likely follow.

    The first of those lawsuits has now been filed, according to NPR, with 10 states accusing the search giant of similarly abusing its monopoly in online advertising. The states involved are Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Utah.

    “These actions harm every person in America,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a video announcing the lawsuit. “If the free market were a baseball game, Google positioned itself as the pitcher, the batter and the umpire.”

    Google has said the claims are “meritless” and vowed to vigorously defend itself in court.

  • Google’s Problems Worsen: State Lawsuits May Be Coming In Weeks

    Google’s Problems Worsen: State Lawsuits May Be Coming In Weeks

    Google’s antitrust issues are on the verge of getting much worse, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warns state lawsuits may be coming.

    The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in October, after an extensive investigation into the company’s business and practices. Even then, some of the veteran DOJ lawyers wanted additional time to make their case before filing, but Attorney General (AG) William Barr pushed head with the case.

    At the heart of the case is Google’s dominance of the search industry, where the company currently controls roughly 90% of the US market. This has made it difficult for other search engines, such as Microsoft Bing and DuckDuckGo, to compete on even terms. Google’s deals with device manufactures, such as Apple, to make their search engine the default only serve to strengthen its position and make it even harder for smaller companies to compete.

    It appears a number of states are set to file their own lawsuits. According to Bloomberg, Texas AG Paxton said state lawsuits could be filed “in the upcoming weeks and months.”

  • Investigation Into Google Expands to Include Android and Search

    Investigation Into Google Expands to Include Android and Search

    This has not been a good week for Google.

    First, the Wall Street Journal reported that Google has been collecting very detailed healthcare records of millions of Americans through its deal with Ascension, prompting severe backlash and a government inquiry. Then Google announces its plans to offer checking accounts, only to face backlash from individuals concerned about privacy ramifications, and predictions that Congress may try to thwart the company’s efforts.

    According to Business Insider, things are about to get much worse. An investigation by 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico into alleged anti-competitive behavior in Google’s advertising business is being expanded to include its Android operating system and search engine results.

    The investigation, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, could see Google face the same level of scrutiny it has in the EU, which ultimately led to $9.4 billion in fines. On the heels of EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s comments questioning the value of breaking up big tech companies in favor of holding them to a higher standard, it appears the U.S. may be taking a similar approach.

    With Google expanding into new markets and industries, a widening inquiry is the last thing it needs.