Google ordered to pay over $314 million to Android users in California for ‘stealing' mobile data
The suit further claimed that Google programmed Android phones to transfer data to its servers when users were not connected to a Wi-Fi network, effectively using data that customers were paying for.
The tech giant allegedly used this information 'to further its own corporate interests,' including building more targeted digital advertising and expanding its mapping credibility, the lawsuit states.
The class-action lawsuit was filed in 2019 in Santa Clara Superior Court on behalf of California residents. A parallel federal case is pending for Android users across the United States, with a trial scheduled to begin in early 2026, Bloomberg reported.
'This ruling is a setback for users, as it misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices,' Google's José Castañeda was quoted by Bloomberg as saying.
Castañeda further noted that the transfers discussed in the case are necessary to maintain the performance of billions of Android devices worldwide and that they consume less cellular data than sending a single photo.
He stated that Android users consent to such transfers through multiple terms of use agreements and device setting options.
Notably, this case is only one of several legal challenges facing the search giant in its home country.
Last year, a federal judge ruled in favour of the United States government in its anti-monopoly case against Google. The Department of Justice has argued that Google's monopoly can be ended by breaking up its different products, including Chrome browser, Search and Android.
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