Senate Commerce Republicans Probe Google on Undisclosed Mic in Nest Secure

Three Senate Republicans want to know why Google didn't disclose to consumers that the Nest Secure home security system has a hidden mic, they wrote CEO Sundar Pichai Monday. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the ability of large tech companies to collect and use personal data without consent, said the letter from Senate Commerce Chairman Roger Wicker, Miss.; Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune, S.D.; and Manufacturing Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran, Kan. “It is critically important that companies like Google be completely transparent with consumers, and provide full disclosure of all technical specifications of their products at the point of sale." Google’s “failure to disclose a microphone within its Nest Secure product raises serious questions about its commitment to consumer transparency and disclosure.” They asked Google to address by March 12 questions on whether a mic has always been a component of Nest Secure, when and how Google became aware that a mic wasn’t listed on the system’s technical specifications; what Google has done to inform buyers the device contains a previously undisclosed mic; Google's process for developing tech specs, when the error occurred and actions to prevent such an error in other products; whether Google is aware of any third-party using the mic for unauthorized purposes; and if the company is aware of similar omissions in its other products. The committee requested an in-person briefing by March 29. Google didn't comment Tuesday.