A California jury has found Google guilty of misusing customer cellphone data, ordering the company to pay more than $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state. The verdict establishes Google’s liability for making data transfers without permission while devices were idle, creating what the lawsuit termed “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” for Android users. This outcome is a win for digital privacy.
The class-action lawsuit, initiated in 2019, involved an estimated 14 million California residents. Plaintiffs contended that Google gathered information from dormant Android phones for corporate purposes, including targeted advertising, and in doing so, consumed users’ cellular data without their explicit consent. This practice was central to the legal proceedings.
Google, an Alphabet subsidiary, has announced its intention to appeal the decision. Spokesperson Jose Castaneda commented that the verdict “misunderstand services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.” Google’s appeal will likely focus on the essential nature of its data operations for the Android platform.
Glen Summers, the attorney for the plaintiffs, praised the verdict as a “forceful vindication of the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google’s misconduct.” The case serves as a powerful reminder of corporate responsibility regarding user data. A parallel federal lawsuit, covering Android users in the remaining 49 states, is set for trial in April 2026.