A California jury has declared that Google must pay over $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state for misusing their cellphone data. The tech giant was found liable for sending and receiving information from devices without permission while they were idle, leading to what the lawsuit termed “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” on users for Google’s gain. This ruling emphasizes user control over personal data.
The class-action lawsuit, initiated in state court in 2019, represented an estimated 14 million Californians. Plaintiffs alleged that Google collected information from inactive Android phones for its own corporate uses, such as targeted advertising, thereby consuming Android users’ cellular data at their expense. This practice was the central point of contention.
Google, an Alphabet company, has announced its decision to appeal the verdict. Company spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated that the ruling “misunderstand services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.” Google’s appeal will likely argue that these data transfers are integral to the functionality of Android.
Conversely, Glen Summers, the attorney for the plaintiffs, viewed the verdict as a “forceful vindication of the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google’s misconduct.” This legal battle highlights the complex relationship between tech companies and user data. A separate federal lawsuit, bringing similar claims on behalf of Android users in the other 49 states, is scheduled for trial in April 2026.
California Jury: Google Owes Android Users $314.6 Million for Data Misuse
