Google has lost a multi-million dollar lawsuit over Android data usage. A jury in San Jose, California, issued a verdict ordering Google to pay a $314.6 million fine. The penalties stem from allegations that the tech giant collected data from Android phone users without their consent, even when the devices were inactive.
The resolution comes as a result of a class action lawsuit filed in 2019, which represents approximately 14 million people in the state of California. The plaintiffs stated that Google, through its parent company Alphabet, implemented a system to collect information from smartphones without authorization, with the aim of using that data for commercial purposes.
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What type of data did Google collect without consent, according to the lawsuit?
According to the arguments presented during the trial, Google collected information from Android devices even when they were not actively in use. This means that even when the phone was inactive or idle, it continued to transmit data to the company.
The plaintiffs’ lawyers pointed out that this information was primarily used for personalized advertising and, in some cases, for the adjustment of telecommunications service rates tailored to each user. Additionally, this data collection meant additional expenses for users, as it consumed mobile data without consent.
Glen Summers, legal representative for the plaintiffs, stated that the evidence showed how Google “secretly obtained enormous amounts of information from Android devices” and, by doing so, also generated unnecessary consumption of users’ mobile data.
What was Google’s position regarding the accusations?
For its part, Google categorically denied the allegations. The company argued that the information collection was clearly outlined in the terms and conditions of use that customers accept when activating their Android devices. Moreover, the company maintained that no real harm was done to consumers.
A Google spokesperson, José Castañeda, stated that the company will appeal the verdict, arguing that the decision “misunderstands services that are essential for the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.”
What are the implications of the verdict for Google and Android users?
Although the jury’s decision applies only to Android users in California, the case has raised alarms about the privacy practices of big tech companies. The \$314.6 million fine represents one of the largest penalties imposed on Google at the state level in the United States.
According to Glen Summers, the verdict represents a “strong vindication of the merits of this case” and reflects “the seriousness of Google’s misconduct.”
This is not the only legal battle the company faces regarding the handling of user data. In parallel, another group filed a similar lawsuit in a federal court in San José. This class action seeks to represent Android users in the other 49 U.S. states.
The trial for that case is scheduled for April 2026, meaning Google will remain under legal scrutiny for the coming years.
The company has made it clear that it will appeal the ruling, so the legal battle could drag on. However, the resolution in California could set an important precedent, both for the pending federal trial and for future legal actions in other countries.
