Latest news with #GlenSummers
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
14 million Android users in California to get $314.6m from Google. Check reason
A California jury has ruled against Google, ordering the tech giant to pay over $314.6 million to Android users. The lawsuit, representing 14 million users, alleged Google collected data from idle devices without permission, impacting users' data plans. Google disputes the verdict, claiming the data transfers are essential for device security and performance, and plans to appeal the decision. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Google asked to pay $314.6 million Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A jury in San Jose, California, said on Tuesday that Google misused customers' cellphone data and must pay more than $314.6m to Android smartphone users in the state, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs. The verdict found Google liable for collecting information from idle Android devices without user permission, sending and receiving data even when phones were inactive. Google has said it did nothing wrong and will jury sided with plaintiffs representing an estimated 14 million California Android users in a class action lawsuit filed in 2019, causing what the lawsuit had called "mandatory and unavoidable burdens shouldered by Android device users for Google's benefit."The class action lawsuit was brought on behalf of an estimated 14 million California Android users, first filed in 2019. Plaintiffs argued that Google's actions imposed "mandatory and unavoidable burdens" for its own benefit, primarily using the data for targeted advertising and consuming users' cellular data at their plaintiffs' legal team argued that phone users' data is their personal property under California law and that Google is thus liable for data used while customers' phones were idle dating back to 2016. The plaintiffs' attorney Glen Summers said the verdict "forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google's misconduct."Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that the company would appeal, and that the verdict "misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices."Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told Newsweek: "We strongly disagree with today's decision and will appeal. This ruling is a setback for users, as it misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices."Google told the court that no Android users were harmed by the data transfers and that users consented to them in the company's terms of service and privacy group filed a separate lawsuit in federal court in San Jose, bringing the same claims against Google on behalf of Android users in the other 49 states. That case is scheduled for trial in April is one of several major tech companies expected to reduce its headcount in July, according to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, which must be issued prior to layoffs. According to the Los Angeles Times, Google was one of a number of Bay Area companies to lay off employees in the first quarter of the year.(With inputs from Reuters)
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Hit With $314M Verdict Over Android Data Practices
Alphabet's Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) may have just walked into one of its messiest legal battles yet. A California jury has ordered the tech giant to pay $314.6 million in damages to Android users after finding it liable for quietly collecting data from idle smartphoneswithout user consent. The class action, filed on behalf of 14 million Californians, argued that Google siphoned information in the background for its own benefit, like powering targeted ads, while consumers unknowingly footed the cellular data bill. The jury agreed. Google's response? It's not backing down. The company said it plans to appeal, arguing the verdict "misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices." It also claimed that users had already agreed to the data transfers through its privacy policies and terms of service. But for Glen Summers, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, the ruling is a major winhe said it forcefully vindicates their case and highlights the weight of Google's behavior. And this could just be the beginning. A separate lawsuit covering Android users in the other 49 states is already on the docket for April 2026. That means investors might be looking at a long runway of regulatory heat, potential fines, and reputational damageall centered around how Android handles your data when you're not even using your phone. For now, the $314 million headline may be just a preview. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Google Ordered to Pay Out Millions of Dollars to Californians
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A jury in San Jose, California, ruled that Alphabet's Google must pay more than $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state after it misused customers' cellphone data. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, found Google liable for collecting information from idle Android devices without user permission, sending and receiving data even when phones were inactive. Google has said it did nothing wrong and will appeal. Newsweek contacted Glen Summers, the plaintiffs' attorney, for comment via email on Thursday outside regular office hours. Why It Matters The lawsuit has broader implications for the data usage of phones running the Android OS when they idle. A similar lawsuit representing Android users in the other 49 states is still pending in federal court in San Jose, with a trial scheduled for April 2026. According to tech news outlet Silicon, an equivalent verdict in this case could cost Google billions of dollars. What To Know The class action lawsuit was brought on behalf of an estimated 14 million California Android users, first filed in 2019. Plaintiffs argued that Google's actions imposed "mandatory and unavoidable burdens" for its own benefit, primarily using the data for targeted advertising and consuming users' cellular data at their expense. The plaintiffs' legal team argued that phone users' data is their personal property under California law and that Google is thus liable for data used while customers' phones were idle dating back to 2016. The exterior of Google's headquarters at 550 Washington Street in Hudson Square, New York, on January 9, 2024. The exterior of Google's headquarters at 550 Washington Street in Hudson Square, New York, on January 9, 2024. Michael M. Santiago/GETTY Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told Newsweek the company would appeal the decision, arguing that the ruling misunderstood how customer data was being used. Google told the court that users consented to data transfers via the company's terms of service and privacy policies and argued that no Android users were harmed. Google is one of several major tech companies expected to reduce its headcount in July, according to Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices, which must be issued prior to layoffs. According to the Los Angeles Times, Google was one of a number of Bay Area companies to lay off employees in the first quarter of the year. At the end of June, Google agreed to purchase 200 megawatts of power from Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a Massachusetts company, in what the companies called the "first direct power purchase agreement in history" involving a fusion energy company. What People Are Saying Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told Newsweek: "We strongly disagree with today's decision and will appeal. This ruling is a setback for users, as it misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices." Glen Summers, the plaintiffs' attorney, said: "[The verdict] forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google's misconduct." What Happens Next Google has already announced that it will appeal Tuesday's verdict. If the outcome is repeated in the larger Google data trial set for April 2026, it could cost the company billions of dollars in fines.
Tom's Guide
02-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
CA jury finds against Google in idle smartphone data transfer case — and it's being fined $3.14 million
A California court just declared that Google will have to pay $314.6 million to Android phone users in the state as punishment for misuse of their data. The class action lawsuit was first filed back in 2019 on behalf of around 14 million Californians. According to the report from Reuters, Google has been found liable for sending and receiving data from users' devices without permission while the phone was idle. In turn, this meant that the customer's cellular data was being used without their consent. According to the lawsuit, this placed what it described as "mandatory and unavoidable burdens shouldered by Android device users for Google's benefit." Quoted in the Reuters report, plaintiff attorney Glen Summers claimed that the ruling 'forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google's misconduct.' Reuters goes on to state that Google's spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, made a statement that Google would be appealing the decision, as the verdict "misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices." Google also told the court that no Android users were hurt by the data transfer, and that all of the actions were consented to by agreeing to the terms of service and the privacy policies. While this case is specifically based in California, Google is involved with another lawsuit, based on the same claims, but at the federal level covering the other 49 states. However, that case is scheduled for trial in April 2026, so it will likely be a while before we hear more. While Google may plan to appeal, there is no doubt that this case will cause them to appear in a negative light to some consumers. For some, this will turn them away from every using a Google phone, but with so many options it can be hard to find the right phone. We have a breakdown of the best iPhones if you want to move away from the Android ecosystem. Google's next Made By Google hardware event is rumored to be happening in August. While we don't know for certain which devices will be unveiled, it is expected that we will see the Google Pixel 10 series at the event. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google Slammed With Massive Android Verdict
A San Jose jury ruled that Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) misused idle Android phone data without user consent, saddling users with mandatory and unavoidable cellular-data burdens while the devices were idlecosts that netted Google ad-revenue benefits. The case, filed in 2019 on behalf of roughly 14 million Californians, argued that background data collection for targeted ads exceeded any reasonable user understanding or permission. Google's defensethat users agreed to data transfers via its terms of service and suffered no harmfell flat with jurors, who awarded plaintiffs $314,646,109. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda called the decision a setback for users and said the company will appeal, arguing the ruling misunderstands critical security and performance services. Plaintiffs' attorney Glen Summers said the verdict forcefully vindicates the lawsuit's merit and underscores Google's misconduct. The California verdict marks the first major blow but isn't the last legal skirmish: a separate federal class action on behalf of Android users outside California is slated for trial in April 2026. That case could amplify damages if plaintiffs replicate their California success nationwide. Why It Matters: A seven-figure jury award highlights the legal risks tech giants face over opaque data practices and could inspire similar suits in other states. Investors will track Google's appeal progress and the April 2026 federal trial for clues on potential additional liabilities and any resulting changes to Android's data-collection policies. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
