Google has agreed to pay $135 million to settle a lawsuit claiming Android devices transferred cellular data to Google in the background, even when apps were closed, location-sharing was off, or the screen was locked. If you have used an Android phone on a US cellular plan since late 2017, this update covers whether you qualify and where the case actually stands right now.
What Does the Lawsuit Actually Allege?
The case, Taylor v. Google LLC (Case No. 5:20-cv-07956-VKD, US District Court for the Northern District of California), claims Google programmed Android to collect cellular data from users without permission. According to Reuters, users said Google needlessly collected cellular data they had purchased from mobile carriers, even after closing Google’s apps, disabling location-sharing, or locking their phones, and used that data to support product development and targeted advertising.
The lawsuit characterizes this legally as “conversion,” meaning one party wrongfully takes and asserts control over another party’s property. Google has denied any wrongdoing throughout the case.
Who Qualifies for the Settlement?
You are likely a class member if you used a mobile device running Android to access the internet through a cellular network at any point from November 12, 2017, to the settlement’s final approval date. According to the official court notice, this excludes people who are already class members in a separate, related case, Csupo v. Google LLC, filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
What Are the Key Dates?
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Preliminary court approval | March 5, 2026 |
| Opt-out or objection deadline | May 29, 2026 |
| Final approval hearing | June 23, 2026 |
| Payments issued | After final approval and any appeals are resolved |
Do I Need to File a Claim?
No claim form is required to qualify. According to settlement administrators, eligible class members are expected to receive payment automatically, though completing the settlement’s Payment Election Form is recommended to ensure payment goes to your preferred method. Payments are capped at $100 per class member.
Has the Court Given Final Approval Yet?
Not as of this writing. The final approval hearing took place June 23, 2026, but the court took the matter under submission rather than ruling immediately, reportedly questioning the requested attorney fees, the class definition, and the injunctive-relief terms before doing so. Payments cannot go out until the court issues a final approval order and any appeals are resolved.
How Do You Check the Current Status Yourself?
Settlement timelines shift, and the safest way to confirm where things stand is to check directly rather than rely on any single article’s snapshot. The court-authorized settlement website, FederalCellularClassAction.com, posts official updates on approval status and payment timing. You can also search the case number, 5:20-cv-07956-VKD, on PACER (pacer.uscourts.gov) for the underlying docket entries directly from the court.
What Did Google Say About the Settlement?
A Google spokesperson told USA Today the company was glad to resolve the case, characterizing the underlying claims as a mischaracterization of standard Android security practices. Google has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Quick Answers
Is this the same as Google’s $700 million settlement? No. Google settled two separate cases around the same period, this Android cellular data case and a separate case involving its voice assistant. They are distinct lawsuits with separate class definitions and payouts.
Do I need an Android phone right now to qualify? No. Eligibility is based on having used an Android device on a US cellular network during the class period, from November 12, 2017 onward, not on your current phone.
How much money will I actually receive? The settlement caps individual payments at $100 per class member. The total number of valid claims will determine the amount you actually receive once the settlement becomes final.
Written by: CupOfJo Editorial Team
Last updated: August 26, 2026
Basis for this article: Researched using Reuters reporting, the official court settlement notice, and coverage from established legal news sources.
What this article does not cover: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Settlement status can change; confirm current details directly at FederalCellularClassAction.com.
Corrections: If anything here is inaccurate or out of date, contact us and it will be corrected.
This piece is part of Cupofjo.org’s general Blog coverage, outside our core Fashion & Style, Food & Recipes, and Lifestyle & Home pillars.
