Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit, alleging that its operating system used mobile devices to collect data from more than 100 million Android users without their consent.
The settlement includes Android users who have used their mobile devices to connect to the internet via cellular data networks at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the present, and users may qualify for compensation, according to CBS News and the settlement website.
Plaintiffs Attila Csupo, Andrew Burke, and Kerry Hecht filed a lawsuit against Google LLC in 2020. They allege that the tech company’s Android platform transfers users’ information to Google without their permission. According to the plaintiffs, Google collects information even when users are not actively using their devices. This occurs when mobile devices are in the plaintiffs’ purses or pockets, or when they are simply sitting idle, according to the lawsuit and the class-action notice.
“Google deliberately designed and coded its Android operating system and Google applications to indiscriminately take advantage of Plaintiffs’ data allowances and passively transfer information at all hours of the day—even after Plaintiffs move Google apps to the background, close the programs completely, or disable location-sharing,” the complaint states.
Google has denied the allegations in the lawsuit, asserting that it did nothing wrong. However, the company has agreed to a $135 million settlement. Blavity reported that plaintiffs in California filed a $314.6 million lawsuit against Google, alleging misuse of data.
Here’s what all Android users need to know about the Google settlement, including how to claim a payment, the amount they may receive, and the outcome if they do not take action.
How can users receive payments?
All eligible settlement members will receive a payment unless they opt out. To ensure delivery, they should choose a preferred payment method through the Payment Election Form; otherwise, the administrator will attempt to send the payment automatically, but payments may not be successfully received via the settlement, according to the settlement website.
How much will payments be?
The exact payment amount has not yet been determined, as it depends on how many eligible members successfully receive the funds. More than 100 million people qualify, and payments will be distributed from the $135 million fund after fees, costs, and taxes are deducted.
What happens if users do nothing?
If users take no action, they will still be included in the settlement and bound by its terms. The administrator will attempt to send them a payment, but may not receive it. They should select a payment method through the Payment Election Form.