If you own an Android device and reside in the United States, you could qualify for a portion of a forthcoming $135 million settlement. The lawsuit alleges that Google «effectively forces users to subsidize its surveillance by secretly programming Android devices to constantly transmit user information» using the very cellular data that customers purchase.
The class‑action case Joseph Taylor v. Google claims that, beginning in 2017, Google pushed an Android update that automatically harvested cellular‑carrier data with no opt‑out option, even when users disabled location services or closed apps.
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The complaint also asserts that Google’s data‑gathering constitutes the tort of conversion – taking another’s property with the intent to deprive them of it. No conversion case has ever settled for as much as $135 million.
Google denies any wrongdoing, and a court has not yet ruled on the legality of its actions. Nevertheless, Google has agreed to settle with class members, and a judge has provisionally approved the payment.
«We are glad to resolve this matter, which mischaracterized routine industry practices that keep Android secure. We are adding more disclosures so users understand how our services operate,» said Google spokesperson José Castañeda.
The official settlement site is now live, but the payout awaits final court approval, slated for a hearing on June 23. That hearing will lock in the total amount, attorney fees, and a distribution plan to ensure eligible class members receive their share. Any changes to the hearing date will be posted on the settlement website.
If you satisfy all the criteria to be a class member, you will automatically be entitled to a share of the settlement after the final approval hearing. However, you must select a payment method on the settlement site by June 23 to actually receive any funds.
You may opt out of the settlement if you wish to preserve the right to sue Google separately over the alleged Android data‑harvesting, but you must do so by May 29; otherwise you will be bound to the class.
The case could have far‑reaching effects on data‑privacy norms and compel Google to revise its terms of service. The company has pledged to obtain clearer consent from Android users when they first activate a new phone, to provide a toggle for disabling certain data collection, and to disclose its practices more transparently.
Which Android owners qualify for the Google settlement?
Having an Android phone alone does not guarantee eligibility. While the exact payout and distribution schedule are still pending, the settlement outlines very specific qualifications:
- Be a living individual in the United States or its territories.
- Have used an Android‑powered mobile phone with a cellular data plan at any time between November 12, 2017 and the date of the final approval hearing.
- Not have participated in the class‑action suit Csupo v. Google LLC, which involved the same allegations but was limited to California residents. You cannot be a class member in both actions.
Anyone meeting these conditions is automatically included in the settlement class unless they opt out before May 29. Updates will be posted on the official settlement website.
How much can each participant expect?
The precise amount per class member has not been disclosed, but the maximum payout is capped at $100 per person.
First, a portion of the fund will cover attorneys’ fees; the remainder will be divided equally among class members. If any money remains after the initial distribution, a smaller second round of payments will be made to eligible members.
Even as a class member, you must enter your preferred payment details on the settlement website to ensure you receive the funds.
Another Google ad‑targeting settlement
This isn’t the only class‑action alleging Google’s ad‑targeting crossed the line. Google recently consented to a $68 million preliminary settlement in a separate case involving Google Assistant (now being replaced by Gemini for Home). Plaintiffs claimed the voice assistant listened without activation, enabling ads based on information they hadn’t willingly shared. That settlement provides automatic payments—no claim form is required.