Google agreed to pay $135 million to settle an Android data collection lawsuit, potentially delivering payments to millions of users this year. The settlement covers allegations that Google programmed Android to collect cellular data without user permission, according to court documents filed this week.
Plaintiffs claimed Google "needlessly collected cellular data" from Android devices dating back to November 2017, even when users closed apps and disabled location sharing. The class action lawsuit alleged Google transferred data without proper consent during device setup processes.
Individual payments could reach up to $100 per impacted user, though exact amounts remain undetermined pending court approval. The settlement requires judicial review, with a trial scheduled for August 5 to determine final approval.
As part of the agreement, Google must implement new Android privacy controls. Setup screens for new devices will disclose data collection practices upfront and require explicit user consent. Android will also add a toggle setting to easily disable data transfer functionality.
Google denied wrongdoing in the settlement announcement. "We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe," said Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda in a statement to The Wall Street Journal.
The $135 million settlement marks Google's second major privacy payout this month. Earlier in January, Google settled a separate $68 million lawsuit alleging Google Assistant "spied inappropriately" on users when it misheard "Hey Google" wake phrases.
That Assistant case covered devices dating back to May 2016 and mirrored similar litigation against Apple. Apple paid $95 million in 2024 to settle comparable voice assistant privacy allegations, Reuters reported.
Both settlements follow Google's $700 million agreement last year to resolve anticompetitive practice claims regarding Google Play Store operations. The Oregon Department of Justice alleged those practices drove up app prices for Android users.
Google continues to face regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. The company maintains its practices comply with industry standards while acknowledging the need for clearer user controls.
Android users affected by the data collection practices will receive notification about claim eligibility once the settlement receives final approval. The process typically involves online claim submission through dedicated settlement administration websites.
Industry analysts note the settlements reflect growing regulatory pressure on tech giants' data practices. Similar cases have emerged across Europe and Asia as governments implement stricter digital privacy frameworks.
Google's Android operating system powers approximately 70% of global smartphones, making the settlement potentially one of the largest consumer privacy payouts in mobile technology history. The company reported $307 billion in revenue for 2023.
