Google $135M Android Mobile Device Privacy Settlement

Individuals who used an Android mobile device to access the internet through a cellular network in the United States at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the present and are not a class member in the Csupo v. Google case may qualify to receive a payment from a class action settlement.

Google agreed to pay $135 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging Android devices sent information to Google without users’ permission, resulting in Google using the data for its benefit. The plaintiffs claim Google's unauthorized use of this cellular data violated Android user privacy. The settlement class includes an estimated 100,000,000 people.

Who are the Google class members?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They reside in the United States and used a mobile device running the Android operating system.
• They accessed the internet through a cellular data network operated by a mobile carrier at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, through the date the settlement receives final approval.

Who is excluded from the class?

Individuals participating in Csupo v. Google LLC, Santa Clara County Superior Court, No. 19CV352557, a similar class action settlement involving California residents, do not qualify to participate in this settlement.

How much are Google settlement payments?

Pro rata cash payment: Eligible class members will receive a pro rata cash payment from the net settlement fund up to a a maximum of $100 per person.

No claim form required

Eligible class members do not need to file a claim to receive a settlement payment.

Class members can submit a payment election online using the notice ID and confirmation code from their settlement notice.

Payout options

• Electronic payment, which may include Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, ACH transfer or virtual Mastercard

$135 million Google settlement fund

The $135,000,000 settlement fund will include:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $1,500,000
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $39,825,000
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $750,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $25,000 each ($75,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Exclusion deadline: May 29, 2026
• Final approval hearing: June 23, 2026

When is the Google Android device payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged that Google’s Android operating system sent various types of information to the company without users’ permission, using their cellular data in the process. The plaintiffs claimed that some of these data transfers happened in the background, even when the device was idle and not in use, and that Google could have limited these transfers to Wi-Fi connections but did not.

Google denied the allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation and a possible trial. The settlement also requires Google to update its disclosures and settings related to data transfers on Android devices.

Sources

1. Settlement notice
2. Settlement website
3. Settlement agreement