Millions of Android users could soon receive compensation from a $135 million class-action settlement against Google over allegations that the Android operating system secretly transmitted user data without consent. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, claimed that Google’s Android devices sent data even when idle and all apps were closed, consuming users' cellular data and infringing on their privacy rights. Google denied the allegations, but the settlement offers an opportunity for affected users who used Android devices to connect to the internet from November 12, 2017, to the present.
Eligible individuals who do not opt out will automatically receive personalized notices by mail or email, including a notice ID and confirmation code. To claim their share, users must visit the settlement website, enter these details, and select a payment method. While the total payout amount depends on how many qualify, it’s expected that approximately 100 million users could be eligible, meaning individual payments may be modest.
Even users who do not file a claim might still receive a payment if the settlement administrator successfully contacts them, though failing to submit payment information could risk missing out. The settlement aims to address concerns over Google’s data practices and give affected Android users a chance to seek recompense.