A jury in California has ruled that Google must pay $314 million for allegedly using Android users’ cellular data without their consent to collect personal information. This decision followed a class-action lawsuit trial, with a state court siding against the tech giant.
The lawsuit claimed that when Android devices weren’t connected to Wi-Fi, they continued sending data to Google’s servers, causing users to unknowingly lose valuable data that they paid for.
The plaintiffs argued that this data was primarily used for targeted advertising and improving Google’s map services. Google disagrees with the verdict, stating that it plans to appeal. The lawsuit, filed in 2019 in Santa Clara Superior Court, represents California residents, but a similar federal case will be heard in early 2026, potentially impacting Android users nationwide.
The plaintiffs criticized the way Android devices collect data passively, even when the phone is idle. According to their complaint, Google’s Android OS and apps send extensive data to the company without users’ knowledge or consent. They emphasized that while iPhones allow users more control over data transfers, Android phones do not.
José Castañeda, a spokesperson for Google, stated that the ruling is a setback and a misunderstanding. He argued that these data transfers are necessary for the functionality, security, and performance of Android devices. He further explained that the data usage was minimal, even less than that required to send a photo.
The lawsuit claims that these passive data transfers are a burden imposed on Android users, forcing them to use cellular data they paid for, all for Google’s benefit. Castañeda maintained that Android users consent to these transfers through their acceptance of multiple terms of service and device settings.
Marc Wallenstein, the attorney representing the consumers, celebrated the jury’s decision, which he said confirmed the validity of their claims and highlighted Google’s misconduct. The case is titled Csupo v. Alphabet Inc., 19CV352557, filed in California Superior Court in Santa Clara County.