Privacy just got a major reality check in the tech world, and Google is learning the hard way that sneaking peeks into users’ digital lives comes with a hefty price tag.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just dropped the digital mic with a massive $1.375 billion settlement that’s making waves in the tech accountability arena. This isn’t just another boring legal settlement, it’s a watershed moment for data privacy that proves even tech giants aren’t above the law.

The Digital Surveillance Scandal

Apparently, Google thought it was totally cool to track people’s movements, private searches, and even biometric data without explicit consent. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Paxton’s lawsuit exposed how the tech behemoth has been low-key stalking users through their products and services, collecting data like it’s going out of style.

Breaking Down the Big Numbers

To put this settlement into perspective, no other state has secured a data privacy settlement against Google that comes close to this amount. Previous multistate coalitions only managed to wrangle $391 million, which is chump change compared to Texas’s groundbreaking $1.375 billion win.

A Warning Shot to Big Tech

This settlement isn’t just about money, it’s a clear message that tech companies can’t treat user privacy like their personal playground. Paxton’s aggressive litigation signals a new era of digital accountability, where snooping on users’ personal data comes with serious consequences.

So, next time you’re scrolling through your phone, remember: someone might be watching. And thanks to Texas, they might just have to pay big time for it.