Google ordered to pay $314 million to Android users over background data use

Google has been directed to pay over $314 million to Android smartphone users in California, following a jury verdict in a class-action lawsuit that accused the company of collecting data from devices without user permission. The case, filed in 2019, centred around the use of cellular data by idle Android phones for Google’s benefit.

The San Jose jury found that Google violated privacy expectations by transmitting data from Android devices even when they were not in active use and were disconnected from Wi-Fi. Plaintiffs argued that these background data transfers consumed mobile data uthat sers had to pay for, amounting to what they called “unavoidable burdens” imposed by the company.

According to the lawsuit, the data was used for business purposes, such as ad targeting and enhancing mapping services. The court’s decision holds Google liable for compensating nearly 14 million affected users in California.

Google said it plans to appeal the decision. Company spokesperson José Castañeda stated that the verdict misinterprets how Android functions. He claimed that the data transfers in question are necessary for the platform’s performance and security and that they use minimal data. He also said that users consent to these transfers through Google’s terms and privacy settings.