Google Hit With $314.6M Fine for Snooping on Idle Android Phones

A California jury has ordered Google to pay over $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state. The tech giant was found liable for illicitly transferring data from devices without user permission while they were idle, a practice the lawsuit described as imposing “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” on Android users for Google’s benefit. This significant verdict marks a victory for consumer privacy advocates.
The class-action lawsuit, initiated in 2019, represented an estimated 14 million Californians. Plaintiffs contended that Google exploited data collected from inactive Android phones for various corporate purposes, including targeted advertising, thereby consuming users’ cellular data at their own expense. This exploitation, they argued, was a clear breach of trust.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has stated its intention to appeal the decision. A company spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, asserted that the verdict “misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.” This stance suggests Google believes its data practices are essential, despite the jury’s finding.
Conversely, Glen Summers, the attorney for the plaintiffs, hailed the verdict as a “forceful vindication” of the case’s merits and a reflection of the “seriousness of Google’s misconduct.” This legal battle could set a precedent for how tech companies handle user data, especially when devices are not actively being used. Another similar lawsuit is pending in federal court, covering Android users in the remaining 49 states, with a trial set for April 2026.