$135M Google Settlement Resolves Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Android Cellular Data Collection, Transfers

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

Google has agreed to a $135,000,000 settlement that would resolve a class action lawsuit alleging that the tech giant unlawfully surveilled and collected private information from cellular data purchased by Android users from their mobile providers each month, via undisclosed device programming to effectively fund its targeted advertising business.

Don’t miss out on class action settlement news like this. Sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter.

The proposed Google settlement agreement was submitted to the court on January 27, 2026 and awaits preliminary approval from United States District Court Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi.

If the $135 million Google settlement receives preliminary approval from the court, it will cover over 100 million Americans with devices running Android who used cellular data to access the internet or other mobile services  November 12, 2017 and the date of final approval.

Related Reading: $700M Google Settlement Ends Attorneys General Lawsuit Over Alleged Monopoly of Android App Distribution

Notably, Android users in California are excluded from the settlement. A class action filed in July 2025 made similar allegations and ultimately settled for $314.6 million. This parallel lawsuit covered approximately 14 million California Android users.

ClassAction.org will update this page when the official Android data tracking settlement page is live.

The proposed agreement stipulates that Android settlement class members will not need to do anything to automatically receive a one-time, pro-rated cash payment capped at $100 per class member. Cash payments will be a prorated share of what remains in the net settlement fund after the payment of attorneys’ fees, settlement administration costs and lead plaintiff service awards.

Class members can expect to receive their cash payout via electronic payment (PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle,)  which will be sent to accounts associated with the user email addresses and phone numbers in Google’s systems.

The settlement administrator will publish an online form for settlement class members who have a preferred payment method or would like to update their account information.

ClassAction.org will update this page with more information on receiving class action settlement benefits as details are made available by the settlement administrator.

Additionally, as part of the settlement, Google has agreed to significant injunctive relief to more adequately protect the private information of Android users.

Specifically, the proposed agreement requires Google to disclose the conduct at issue through a flow screen to Android users and to obtain their express, informed consent upon setting up their Android device. Google must further update the Google Play Terms of Service and Help Center pages to include information about the possibility of Android users’ cellular data being transferred. Finally, Google must take measures to deactivate the Google Play services “allow background data usage” toggle, to avoid creating the false impression that all relevant transfers are disabled when the toggle is off.

According to the plaintiffs, the prospective injunctive relief would avoid the theft of approximately $300 million worth of cellular data per year.

Related Reading: $68M Google Assistant Settlement Ends Class Action Lawsuit Claiming Devices Start Recording Without User Activation

Should the proposed Google settlement receive preliminary approval from the court, settlement class members can expect to receive their benefits at some point after final approval is granted and any appeals are resolved.  The date of the final approval hearing has yet to be determined.

The Google data collection class action lawsuit alleged that the tech giant has been “free-riding” off cellular data paid for by Android users by embedding tracking technologies in its devices for the purpose of enhancing its targeted advertising services.

Looking for current class action lawsuits to join? Check out ClassAction.org’s class action lawsuit list.