Idle Phones, Active Lawsuit: Google to Pay $314.6M in Data Privacy Case

Google has been ordered to pay $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in California, following a jury’s finding that the company misused customer cellphone data. The jury determined Google was responsible for unauthorized data transfers from idle devices, leading to “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” for users for Google’s benefit. This ruling underscores the increasing legal scrutiny on data practices.
The class action, filed in 2019, encompassed approximately 14 million California residents. Plaintiffs argued that Google harvested data from dormant Android phones for corporate purposes, including targeted advertising, resulting in users incurring cellular data costs without their knowledge or consent. This alleged practice was at the heart of the litigation.
Google plans to appeal the verdict. Spokesperson Jose Castaneda asserted that the decision “misunderstand services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.” Google’s appeal will likely contend that these data transfers are essential for the operation and security of Android devices.
Glen Summers, the plaintiffs’ attorney, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating it “forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google’s misconduct.” The case serves as a warning to tech companies regarding transparency in data handling. Another related lawsuit covering Android users in the remaining 49 states is slated for trial in federal court in April 2026.