Google to Pay $135 Million to Android Owners in the U.S. for Data Collection

Google has reached a settlement to pay $135 million in a class-action lawsuit filed by Android users in the U.S. The plaintiffs alleged that since 2017, Google automatically collected data via mobile networks without providing an opt-out option, even when users took privacy measures such as disabling location services.

The lawsuit also argued that Google’s actions could qualify as "conversion"—the unlawful appropriation of another’s property. This marks the first instance where a conversion case has resulted in such a large settlement. Google denies any wrongdoing but agreed to the payout to resolve the dispute. The court will issue a final decision on June 23.

To qualify for compensation, individuals must meet several criteria: be a U.S. resident, have used an Android device with mobile internet between November 12, 2017, and the date of final settlement approval, and not be part of the similar lawsuit Csupo v. Google LLC, which involved only California residents. Claims can be submitted until June 23 via the official settlement website.

The maximum compensation per user is capped at $100. A portion of the funds will cover legal fees, with the remainder distributed among claimants. If any funds remain after the initial distribution, they will be disbursed in a second round. Google has also committed to updating its terms of service, including clearer disclosures about data collection and adding options to disable certain features.