Android owners could get part of Google's $135 million data settlement

At a glance:

• Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement in the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC over unauthorized data collection from Android devices.
• Eligible users who owned an Android phone with a cellular data plan between November 12, 2017, and the settlement's final approval date could receive up to $100 each.
• The final court hearing is scheduled for June 23, and Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify passive data transfers and background data usage rules.

What the settlement covers

Google is paying $135 million to resolve allegations that it harvested data from Android phones without users' explicit consent. The class action, Taylor v. Google LLC, claims that Android mobile devices transferred a variety of information to Google without permission, consuming users' cellular data in the process. Google has not admitted fault, but the two sides agreed to a preliminary settlement in January and have begun resolving it. A companion case, Csupo v. Google LLC, covers similar claims specifically for California residents — and members of that suit are not eligible for this payout.

The settlement website is now live, and the final approval hearing is set for June 23, when the court will hear objections and decide whether the $135 million agreement is fair. Claimants who want to be paid must provide a Notice ID and Confirmation Code, which settlement administrators mailed or emailed to eligible individuals. Those who did not receive a notification can still check eligibility by calling the toll-free number at 1-844-655-4255, emailing info@FederalCellularClassAction.com, or mailing a request to Federal Cellular Class Action, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Who qualifies for a payout

To join the settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

• Be a living, individual human being in the US.
• Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
• Have used that device at any time from November 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final court approval.
• Not be a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is a separate but similar case for California residents.

If you qualify and want to be paid, you can select your preferred payment method on the official settlement website. You can also speak at the June 23 court hearing or submit an objection or exclusion request by May 29. Even if you choose to do nothing and are eligible, you will still receive a settlement payment — but failing to select a payment method may increase the risk that the money does not reach you.

How much could you receive

The exact payout per class member is not yet known, but the maximum is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved. After administrative, tax, and attorney costs are deducted, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If funds remain after payments are sent and redistribution is economically feasible, they will be returned to members who were previously and successfully paid. If redistribution is not feasible, the remaining funds will go to an organization approved by the court.

What Google is changing

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you are not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when the phone is not connected to Wi-Fi. These transfers cannot always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to them when setting up their device. Google will also fully stop collecting data when its "allow background data usage" option is toggled off.

This marks the second major Google data-collection settlement in recent memory. Last year, a California lawsuit was settled for $314 million, and this new agreement could result in payouts for roughly another 100 million people. The combination of the two settlements underscores the growing scrutiny of how Google monetizes data collected through its Android ecosystem, which powers the vast majority of smartphones worldwide.

What to watch next

The June 23 final approval hearing is the key date to watch. If the court approves the settlement, payouts could begin shortly after, though the timeline will also depend on whether any parties file appeals. Anyone who believes they may be eligible but did not receive a Notice ID or Confirmation Code should contact the settlement administrators before the hearing to ensure they are included. The settlement administrators have emphasized that the process is designed to be accessible even to people who never saw a notification letter, but acting proactively — especially before May 29, the deadline to object or exclude yourself — is the safest path to securing a payout.

Tags: google, android, data-privacy, class-action-settlement, mobile-data-collection

FAQ: { "faq": [ { "q": "How do I know if I'm eligible for the Google Android data settlement?", "a": "You qualify if you are a US-based individual who used an Android phone with a cellular data plan at any time between November 12, 2017, and the date the settlement receives final approval — and you are not already part of the Csupo v. Google LLC case for California residents. If you did not receive a notification letter or email, you can call 1-844-655-4255, email info@FederalCellularClassAction.com, or mail a request to Federal Cellular Class Action at 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103." }, { "q": "What is the maximum payout per person in the Google settlement?", "a": "The maximum payment is $100 per eligible class member. The exact amount each person receives depends on how many people ultimately qualify and after administrative, tax, and attorney costs are deducted. Any remaining funds will be redistributed to previously paid members if economically feasible, or given to a court-approved organization." }, { "q": "When is the final court hearing for the Google settlement?", "a": "The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, when the court will hear objections and decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement. The date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website. Claimants can submit objections or exclude themselves by May 29." } ] }