YouTube Subscriptions
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose the terms of subscriptions
Google Home Devices
In August 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. for allegedly falsely advertising that various Google Home devices – including the Google Home, Google Home Hub, Google Home Mini, and Google Nest – would not record conversations unless someone used an activation phrase (e.g., “Hey Google”) and would not send recordings to Google without authorization when, according to the complaint, such claims are false because Google programs the devices to record, retrieve, and process audio in homes even when no one says anything to activate recording. (Brekhus et al v. Google LLC and Alphabet Inc., Case No. 20-cv-5488, N.D. Cal.)
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Class-Action Tracker
Google’s Designed for Families Program
Allegations: Deceptively marketing apps in its Designed for Families program as safe and appropriate for children
FitBit Fitness Trackers
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that fitness trackers are capable of measuring blood oxygen levels when they do not provide accurate measures
Google Pixel 4a, 5, and 5a Cellphones
Allegations: Advertising phones as capable of accessing 5G broadband networks when they were no longer able to access 5G networks after a software update
GoodRx
Allegations: Falsely representing that the company safeguards consumers’ personal data when such information was disclosed to third parties
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose the terms of subscriptions and making it difficult to cancel
DoubleU Games Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Grande Games Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Zynga’s Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Gambling Games in the Google Play Store
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Gambling Games on Google
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Disclosures in Google Play
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose that certain games use loot boxes, which are a form of gambling that violates state anti-gambling laws
Google Stadia
Allegations: Falsely advertising Stadia as more powerful than other gaming consoles and as displaying all video games in 4k resolution
Google’s Marketing of Pine-Sol
In June 2020, a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging that Google’s website – sometimes referred to as Google Buys or Google Shopping — misleadingly markets Pine-Sol Multi Surface Cleaner using…
Google Drive Storage Fees
In January 2015, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Google for, among other things, allegedly deceiving customers who subscribe to Google Drive (a data-storage service). According to the complaint, Google…
The Latest
Google to Refund Millions to Parents
Internet giant to refund parents for charges their children ran up playing mobile apps.
Privacy-Schmivacy
Privacy protection? Not so much.
Internet Giants Team Up to Fight Deceptive Web Ads
Google, Facebook, Twitter, and AOL launch TrustInAds.org.
Google Removing Deceptive Abortion-Services Ads
Investigation finds web searches led to anti-abortion centers.
Are You Getting Scroogled?
Microsoft jumps on anti-Google bandwagon.