Texas compares Google to “Eye of Sauron,” sues over biometric data collection
Enlarge / The Nest Hub Max is displayed during the 2019 Google I/O conference in Mountain View, California. (credit: Getty Images | Justin Sullivan )
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Google today over its collection of biometric data in a lawsuit that called one of Google's facial recognition systems a "modern Eye of Sauron."
Paxton claims Google violated the Texas Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act through its collection of "millions of biometric identifiers, including voiceprints and records of face geometry, from Texans through its products and services like Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Nest Hub Max." The state law requires getting user consent before capturing biometric identifiers.
"Google's indiscriminate collection of the personal information of Texans, including very sensitive information like biometric identifiers, will not be tolerated," Paxton said in a press release today.