Google Settlement: Android Users May Receive Payouts

Daily Technology

21/05/2026

Android users who have owned a device since November 12, 2017, may be eligible for a portion of Google's $135 million settlement. This resolution stems from allegations that Google harvested user data without explicit consent, potentially consuming cellular data. The settlement aims to compensate affected individuals for this alleged data collection.

Key Takeaways

Android users in the US who owned a device with a cellular plan between Nov. 12, 2017, and the settlement's final approval date may qualify.
Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement without admitting fault.
A final court approval hearing is scheduled for June 23.
Google will update its terms of service to clarify data collection practices and cease collecting data when "allow background data usage" is toggled off.

Understanding The Settlement

The case centers on allegations that Google transferred data from Android devices without permission, leading to cellular data use, and it has now reached a preliminary $135 million settlement.

Settlement timeline

November 12, 2017

This is the start date used to determine who may be included in the settlement class.

Settlement website opens

Eligible individuals can visit the site and choose their preferred payment method.

June 23 final hearing

The court will hear objections and consider whether the settlement is fair for the class.

After approval and appeals

Payments will be sent only after final court approval and the resolution of any appeals.

Eligibility Criteria

To be included, a person must satisfy all of the settlement's listed conditions.

Who qualifies for the settlement

Requirement	Details
Residency and status	Be a living individual residing in the United States.
Device use	Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Relevant time period	Have used that device at any point from November 12, 2017, until the settlement receives final approval.
Exclusion	Not be a class member in the California-specific Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit.

What To Expect

Eligible claimants who have received a notification should visit the official settlement website to set their payment information using their Notice ID and Confirmation Code. Even if no action is taken, eligible individuals will still receive a payment, but actively setting a payment method may reduce the risk of not receiving it.

While the exact payout amount per person is not yet determined, the maximum an individual could receive is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and the resolution of any appeals. After administrative, tax, and attorney fees are deducted, the remaining funds will be distributed equally among class members. Any leftover funds may be redistributed to successfully paid members or donated to a court-approved organization.

Up to $100

The final individual payment is not fixed yet, but no claimant can receive more than $100 from the settlement fund.

Google has also committed to updating its Google Play terms of service to provide clearer information about passive data transfers, even when a device is not actively being used, and the reliance on cellular data when not connected to Wi-Fi. Users will be prompted to consent to these practices during device setup. Furthermore, Google will cease collecting data when the "allow background data usage" option is turned off.