Google Hit with $314M Verdict: Jury Rules Android Secretly Used Cellular Data for Tracking

Google has found itself at the center of a major legal battle that culminated in a California jury ordering the tech giant to pay over $314 million to Android smartphone users in the state. The jury in San Jose concluded that the company had violated the rights of mobile device owners by collecting data from their phones without consent—even when the devices were in standby mode.

As plaintiffs’ attorney Glen Summers explained, the court’s decision underscores the severity of Google’s misconduct and affirms the legitimacy of the accusations. According to him, the company’s actions compelled millions of Californians to unwittingly consume their own mobile data, while the harvested information was used to further Google’s advertising and commercial interests.

The class-action lawsuit was originally filed in 2019, alleging that Google’s services continued to send and receive data from Android devices even when users were not actively engaging with their phones. Prosecutors estimated that approximately 14 million Californians were affected.

Google’s legal team contended that no harm had been done to users. They argued that all data transmission processes were clearly outlined in the terms of service and privacy policy—documents that every user must accept when activating their device. However, the jury rejected this defense and sided with the plaintiffs.

Google spokesperson José Castañeda stated that the company strongly disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal. He further asserted that the data collection processes in question are essential for ensuring the security, stability, and reliability of Android-powered devices.

Meanwhile, a similar lawsuit is underway in federal court in San Jose, this one encompassing Android users across the remaining 49 U.S. states. Proceedings in that case are scheduled to begin in April 2026.

This case marks yet another chapter in the growing wave of legal scrutiny facing major tech firms, increasingly accused of unethical handling of personal data. In Google’s case, the issue extends beyond privacy to the exploitation of users’ own resources for data collection—an aspect that has further fueled public outrage.