Jury Verdict: Google Liable for Covert Android Data Transfers, $314.6M Fine

A California jury has delivered a verdict against Google, finding the company liable for covert data transfers from Android smartphones and imposing a $314.6 million fine. The jury concluded that Google unlawfully sent and received information from idle devices without permission, creating “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” for Android users that benefited the company. This ruling emphasizes the need for transparency in data handling.
The class-action lawsuit, initiated in 2019, involved an estimated 14 million California residents. Plaintiffs contended that Google surreptitiously gathered information from dormant Android phones for corporate purposes, including targeted advertising, thereby consuming users’ cellular data without their explicit consent. This alleged covert operation was at the heart of the legal dispute.
Google plans to appeal the decision. Spokesperson Jose Castaneda indicated that the verdict “misunderstand services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.” Google’s appeal will likely argue that these data practices are integral to the functionality of Android.
Glen Summers, the plaintiffs’ attorney, expressed strong approval of the verdict, stating it “forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google’s misconduct.” This case highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and consumer privacy. A related federal lawsuit, covering Android users in the remaining 49 states, is slated for trial in April 2026.