>I keep seeing folks float this as some admission of wrongdoing but it is not.
It absolutely is.
If they knew without a doubt their equipment (that they produce) doesn't eavesdrop, then why would they be concerned about "risk [...] and uncertainty of litigation"?
It is not. The belief that it does is just a comforting delusion people believe to avoid reality. Large companies often forgo fighting cases that will result in a Pyrrhic victory.
Also people already believe google (and every other company) eavesdrops on them, going to trail and winning the case people would not change that.
It absolutely is.
If they knew without a doubt their equipment (that they produce) doesn't eavesdrop, then why would they be concerned about "risk [...] and uncertainty of litigation"?