Millions of cell phone users may soon be eligible to receive compensation following a significant class action settlement involving Google and its Android operating system. The proposed $135 million agreement, which is still subject to judicial approval, addresses allegations that Google collected consumer cellular data without proper consent. While Google has denied the claims, it has agreed to settle the case.
The settlement originates from a class action lawsuit alleging that Google used the Android operating system to improperly collect cellular data from users. Plaintiffs claim the data collection occurred without adequate user consent, an allegation previously reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Although Google did not acknowledge any wrongdoing, it agreed to pay $135 million to resolve the dispute. Commenting on the settlement, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said, “We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe.”
At present, the agreement remains preliminary and must receive approval from a judge before any payments are distributed, according to a report by The US Sun.
If the settlement is approved, payments will be made to eligible class members affected by the alleged data collection practices. The amount each individual may receive has not yet been determined and will depend on how many claims are ultimately approved.
Beyond financial compensation, the settlement also requires Google to make changes to its practices. The company must update the terms of service for Google Play and modify the setup screens on new Android devices to more clearly disclose data collection practices and obtain user consent at the outset.
The $135 million settlement follows another recent legal case involving Google, in which the company agreed to pay $68 million over allegations related to Google Assistant. In that lawsuit, plaintiffs alleged that the virtual assistant collected background conversations and used them to support targeted advertising.
