Senate Commerce Republicans Seek Answers on Google Nest Undisclosed Microphones

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS), together with Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), sent a letter to Google chief executive officer Sundar Pichai seeking information about recent news that Google had not disclosed the presence of a microphone in its Nest Secure home security device. In the letter, the Chairmen question Pichai on details related to when Google became aware of the undisclosed microphones, any third party using the Nest Secure microphone for any unauthorized purpose, the steps taken to inform purchasers, and Google’s process for developing technical specifications for its products.