Do You Own an Android Phone? Claim a Part of Google’s $135M Data Harvesting Settlement Soon

If you have a Android Phone and you live in the United States, you may be entitled to part of the upcoming $135 million settlement. The case centers on the allegation (PDF) that Google “effectively forces users to subsidize its surveillance by secretly programming Android devices to constantly transmit user information” using the exact same cellular data that customers purchased themselves.

The Joseph Taylor v. Google (PDF) alleges that, starting in 2017, Google updated the Android operating system to automatically collect cellular data. via carrierswith no way for users to unsubscribe. The lawsuit alleges that this data collection occurred even when individuals took steps such as opting out location tracking or close applications.

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The lawsuit also makes another important allegation: that Google’s data collection practices constituted a crime called conversion. Conversion occurs when one party takes property from another with the intention of depriving them of it. No previous conversion case has ever resulted in a sum as large as $135 million.

Google has denied any wrongdoing and the court has not ruled on whether the company violated any laws. Regardless, Google agreed to settle with the class members and the court preliminarily approved payment of the settlement.

“We are happy to resolve this case, which misrepresents industry standard practices that keep Android secure. We are providing additional information to give people more information about how our services work,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda said.

The official settlement website is now live, but payment is subject to the court’s final approval meeting. This meeting is currently scheduled for June 23. The meeting will confirm the payment amount, allocate attorney fees, and create a distribution plan to ensure the money reaches eligible class members. Any changes to the final approval meeting schedule will be reflected on the settlement website.

If you meet all of the criteria to be a class member in this case, you are automatically eligible to receive a portion of the settlement payment sometime after the final approval hearing. However, it is important to note that you are not guaranteed to receive money unless you select a preferred payment method on the settlement website before June 23.

You can opt out of the settlement payment if you want to retain your right to separately sue Google for its alleged Android data collection practices, but you must do so by May 29 or you will be legally bound as a member of this settlement class.

The lawsuit could have significant implications for data privacy and other data collection practices. This will also result in a change to Google’s terms of service. The company agreed to get more explicit consent from Android users on first use. new phonesto include a toggle button to opt out of certain types of data collection and to more clearly disclose data collection.

Which Android users can participate in the Google settlement?

You may have an Android phone, but that doesn’t automatically make you eligible to claim money in this lawsuit. Although the settlement’s payment and distribution plan has not been confirmed, there is a very specific outline detailing who is a member of the settlement.

To join, you must meet all of the following criteria:

1. Be a person living in the United States or its territories.
2. You used a mobile phone with Android OS and a cellular data plan at any time between November 12, 2017 and the final approval of this settlement.
3. Did not participate in the Csupo class action against Google LLC (PDF). This was a case centered on the same allegations but only involving California residents. You cannot be a party member in both costumes.

Affected individuals who meet these qualifications are automatically included in the settlement group unless they choose to opt out before May 29. Any updates will be posted on the official settlement website.

How much will the Android data collection settlement pay?

While we don’t know exactly how much each class member will be paid through the settlement, there is an upper limit. Payouts are capped at $100 per person, so don’t expect to get more than that.

Part of the settlement money will first be allocated to attorney’s fees, then the rest of the money will be distributed equally to class members. If any money remains after the first round of distributions, it will be distributed into a second round of smaller settlement payments to eligible members of the settlement class.

Even if you are a class member, you still need to enter your preferred payment information through the official settlement website to ensure that the money will be distributed correctly.

Another regulation regarding Google ad targeting

This isn’t the only class action alleging that Google’s ad targeting practices crossed the line. Google recently agreed to a $68 million preliminary settlement in another case, this one involving Google Assistant (now replaced by Gemini for Home).

Users alleged that smart devices used Google Assistant to listen to them without their activation, leading to ad targeting based on information they had not voluntarily shared. In this settlement, payments will be made automatically. No claim form is required to receive payment.