Google has agreed to pay $135 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging unlawful collection of mobile data from Android users, marking one of the largest proposed settlements tied to smartphone data practices. The agreement, reached ahead of a scheduled trial, would also require changes to how Google discloses and manages data collection on Android devices.
The lawsuit claims that beginning in 2017, Google configured its Android operating system to automatically collect cellular data through mobile carriers without providing users an opt-out option. According to the complaint, the data collection allegedly continued even when users disabled location services or closed apps, raising concerns over consent and transparency.
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No admission of wrongdoing
As part of the settlement, Google has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the claims mischaracterised standard industry practices used to maintain Android’s security and functionality. The company has said it agreed to the settlement to resolve the dispute and avoid prolonged litigation.
If approved by the court, the settlement would resolve allegations that Google’s actions amounted to unlawful appropriation of user resources, a claim that has rarely been pursued at this scale in technology-related cases.
Who may receive compensation
Under the proposed terms, payments to users would be capped at $100 per person. Not all Android users would automatically qualify for compensation. Eligibility is expected to be limited to individuals who joined the class action within the required time frame. Those who did not enrol in the lawsuit are unlikely to receive any payout.
The settlement remains preliminary and must still receive judicial approval. The court will determine the final structure, including timelines, distribution methods and any additional conditions.
Changes to Android disclosures
Beyond monetary compensation, the agreement would bring material changes to Google’s Android policies. The company has agreed to introduce clearer disclosures about data collection and to seek more explicit user consent during device setup.
Planned changes include clearer explanations of what data is collected, how it is used, and the introduction of toggle options that allow users to limit certain types of data collection. These measures are intended to give users greater control and transparency when activating new Android devices.
Broader privacy implications
Legal experts say the case could have wider implications for how technology companies manage consent and background data usage, particularly in operating systems that function continuously across apps and services. The scale of the proposed settlement underscores growing regulatory and legal scrutiny of large technology firms’ data practices.
The case also highlights ongoing tensions between security-related data collection and user privacy, an issue regulators worldwide continue to examine closely.
Another settlement in the spotlight
The Android case comes amid a series of legal resolutions involving Google. In a separate matter this week, the company agreed to another preliminary settlement tied to allegations involving data use for advertising-related purposes on smart devices. That agreement follows similar themes of consent, disclosure and user awareness.
What happens next
The court is expected to review the proposed Android settlement in the coming months. If approved, eligible users would be notified of the process to receive compensation, subject to the $100 cap.
Until then, the agreement remains provisional, but it signals a significant moment in the ongoing debate over mobile data privacy, transparency and user control in the global smartphone ecosystem.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
