Google admits it didn't tell Nest users about built-in mic, but was 'never intended to be secret'

Google could face a backlash over privacy after admitting that Nest users were not told about the existence of a microphone on their devices. Early this month, Nest Secure was updated to allow users to enable Google Assistant, the tech giant's virtual-assistant technology, to be used by the system's hub and keypad. However, Nest users apparently did not know a microphone even existed on their security device. According to Business Insider, the existence of a microphone was not disclosed in any of the device's product materials. "The on-device microphone was never intended to be a secret and should have been listed in the tech specs. That was an error on our part. The microphone has never been on and is only activated when users specifically enable the option," a Google spokesperson told Fox News via email.