National $135 Million Google Class Action Settlement Opens Claims for Android Data Usage

U.S. Android users may be eligible for up to $100 following Google's $135M settlement. Learn how to file your claim and check eligibility before the May deadline.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 10, 2026, 6:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Economic Times

Legal Resolution Reached Over Background Data Harvesting Claims

A major class-action settlement, Taylor v. Google LLC, has entered the claims phase after Google agreed to pay $135 million to resolve allegations concerning unauthorized data collection. The litigation centered on claims that the Android operating system was designed to transmit vast amounts of user information to Google’s servers, even when devices were locked or apps were not actively in use. According to the plaintiffs' lead counsel, Glen Summers, the $135 million agreement represents one of the largest payouts ever recorded in a "conversion" case, a legal term referring to the wrongful exercise of control over another’s property. While Google has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and maintains its practices reflect standard industry security standards, the company opted for a settlement to avoid a protracted trial.

Establishing Eligibility for National Android Device Users

To qualify for a cash payment, individuals must be current residents of the United States who used an Android smartphone equipped with a cellular data plan at any time between November 12, 2017, and the date of the settlement's final approval. The lawsuit argued that Google’s operating system surreptitiously consumed data that users had purchased from mobile carriers, using it to refine targeted advertising and support internal product development. Notably, this national settlement excludes California residents, as they are covered by a separate legal proceeding. Eligible class members who do not receive a personalized notice can still check their status and file a claim through the official settlement portal, provided they meet the hardware and data usage requirements during the specified eight year window.

Mandatory Deadlines for Claim Filing and Legal Objections

The court has established strict timelines for those wishing to participate in or contest the settlement. Individuals who want to object to the terms or exclude themselves from the legal class—thereby retaining their right to sue Google independently—must do so by May 29, 2026. For those seeking a payout, selecting a preferred electronic payment method on the settlement website is a critical step, as failure to choose a distribution channel may result in a forfeited claim. While the individual payout is currently capped at $100, the final amount will de...