Android users can now check if they’re eligible for share of $135M payout from Google
Google denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to a $135 million settlement following allegations of data theft from Android users.
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Google has agreed to a $135M settlement, with around 100 million users eligible for a share of the payout.
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Google was accused of harvesting Android users' data over cellular networks without consent, even when devices were idle.
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Android users who browsed via cellular network from November 12th, 2017, onward are eligible for payout.
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Google denies wrongdoing, but this isn’t the first time the company has been sued for a similar reason.
The company has agreed to a settlement after it was accused of transferring Android users' data without their knowledge.
Around 100 million Android users may be eligible for a payout from Google, meaning most could receive payments of just over $1.
Owners of Android devices who used the cellular network to browse online from November 12th, 2017, until now are eligible for a payout, according to the official Settlement Website for the Taylor v. Google LLC.
The website also notes that users who have been involved in a previous lawsuit against Google, including California residents, can’t claim compensation for the current settlement.
The final approval of the settlement is scheduled for June 23rd, 2026. Meanwhile, people who would like to exclude themselves from the settlement or object to it can do so until May 29th, 2026.
How much money will claimants get?
It’s not yet known how much money Android users will get after the settlement.
There are around 100 million settlement class members, and it’s been reported that they should all get the same amount of money from the $135 million settlement fund.
However, users will be paid from what’s left after paying the notice, administration costs, taxes, and other lawsuit-related expenses.
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Considering how many people are involved in the lawsuit, each could get just over $1, reports Time.
Users may expect their payment after “the Court grants final approval to the Settlement, and any appeals are resolved.” In the event of an appeal, receiving the payment may take even longer.
Eligible users will receive their payment without taking any specific action. Nevertheless, the settlement site notes that users should “select their preferred method of payment online” by filling out the Payment Election Form.
Why is Google being sued?
The company was sued after it was discovered that Google’s Android operating system was used to collect users’ data over cellular networks without their permission.
These data transfers would take place in the background, even when the devices weren’t used, and no apps were open.
It was also argued that Google caused these transfers “to sometimes take place over a cellular network,” which means that the company has violated the law and thus needs to compensate the plaintiffs.
Meanwhile, the company has denied the claims.
The complaint against Google was first filed in 2020.
This isn’t the first time the company has been sued for the same reason.
The Csupo vs Google case has reached a $350 million settlement, with the final hearing scheduled for February 24th, 2026.
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FAQ about Google’s $135 million lawsuit settlement
Who is eligible for the settlement?
Owners of Android devices who used the cellular network to browse online from November 12th, 2017, until now and did not take part in a previous lawsuit, Csupo v Google, are eligible for a payout.
Why is Google being sued?
The company has been sued for unauthorized data collection via the Android operating system when users were using the cellular network.
How much money will the plaintiffs get?
It’s not yet clear how much money plaintiffs will get from the $135 million settlement, which will first be used to pay all lawsuit-related costs.
How do you get the payment?
Eligible users will receive their payment without taking any specific action. Nevertheless, the settlement site notes that users should “select their preferred method of payment online” by filling out the Payment Election Form.
FAQ by nexos.ai, reviewed by Cybernews staff.
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