Google Reaches $135 Million Settlement Over Allegations of Unauthorized Android Cellular Data Usage

Google settles Android background data usage lawsuit for $135M. Check eligibility for the cellular data class action payout before the May 2026 deadline.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 5:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from ClassAction.org

Tech Giant Resolves Decade-Long Dispute Over Background Data Transfers

Google LLC has finalized a $135 million settlement to settle a class-action lawsuit, Taylor et al. v. Google LLC, which accused the company of unlawfully appropriating users' cellular data. The litigation, which began in 2020, alleged that Android smartphones were programmed to transmit information to Google's servers even when devices were idle, apps were closed, or Wi-Fi was available. Plaintiffs argued this practice forced consumers to pay for data used solely to benefit Google’s targeted advertising business. While the settlement was granted preliminary approval by U.S. District Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi in March 2026, the company continues to deny any legal wrongdoing, maintaining that the transfers were part of standard security and maintenance protocols.

Establishing Eligibility Criteria for Millions of Smartphone Owners

The settlement class includes all individuals in the United States who used an Android-powered mobile device to access the internet via a cellular data network between November 12, 2017, and the date of final court approval. Notably, California residents are excluded from this specific agreement as they are covered by a separate, parallel state-level settlement that reached a $314.6 million jury verdict in July 2025. For the national class, eligible users are expected to receive a pro-rata share of the net settlement fund after attorney fees and administrative costs are deducted. While the maximum individual recovery is currently capped at $100, legal experts suggest the high volume of claimants may result in smaller individual payments for the majority of participants.

Mandatory Transparency Updates Reshaping Android Device Setup

Beyond the monetary payout, the settlement imposes significant injunctive relief designed to increase transparency regarding how Android handles background data. Google has committed to revising its Google Play Terms of Service to explicitly state that certain software processes will use cellular data when Wi-Fi is unavailable and that these functions cannot always be disabled. Furthermore, the company will implement a new "affirmative consent" section during the initial device setup flow. This update requires users to click an "accept" button before Google can begin background data transfers, addressing the plaintiffs' core com...