Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Google sued for allegedly forcing DJs to lie about how great the Pixel 4 was
June 28, 2025
TheGoogle Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XLwere rough ones for the company. Not only did they get lukewarm receptions from critics and consumers, buteven Google itselfwas disappointed with the phones. Several Pixel developers left after the phones failed to win anyone over.
See also:All Google Pixel phones released so far
Of course, these problems didn’t stop Google from trying to push the phones to buyers. However, it looks like the company may have gone too far with some of its Google Pixel 4 ads, if a new Texas lawsuit is to be believed (viaMarket Watchand a hat tip toAndroid Central).
Google Pixel 4 ads went too far?
Thelawsuit— filed by controversial Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — alleges Google forced eight prominent radio DJs to lie about their experiences using the Pixel 4 in 2019. The lawsuit says Google allegedly gave the DJs canned statements lauding the Pixel 4 from a first-person perspective. Examples include things like, “I’ve been taking studio-like photos of everything… my son’s football game… a meteor shower… a rare spotted owl that landed in my backyard…”
When the DJs asked to actually use the phones or change the wording so it didn’t sound like it was coming from their own personal experiences, Google reportedly refused.
Later, in 2020, Google tried to run a second set of Google Pixel 4 ads. Once again, the DJs allegedly asked for physical devices so as not to lie on the air. The lawsuit says Google refused this until the DJs attempted to buy Pixel 4 devices on their own.
If this lawsuit goes to court and Google is found in the wrong, it would have violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Consumer Protection Act. The penalties for this would be up to $10,000 for each of the 2,405 broadcasts of the ads — that’s over $24 million.
In a statement, Google spokesperson José Castañeda had this to say:
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
