Google to pay $135 million to settle illegal data collection lawsuit


Google has agreed to a preliminary $135 million settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by Android users who accused it of harvesting their data without consent. The lawsuit alleges that since November 12, 2017, Google has been illegally collecting cellular data from phones purchased through carriers, even when apps are closed or location features are disabled.

As reported by the affected users believe that Google uses their data for marketing and product development means that it is guilty of “conversion.” In US law, occurs when one party takes the property of another with the “intention to deprive them of it” or “exercise the rights of ownership thereof.”

Subject to approval from a judge, a settlement of $135 million was filed in a federal court in San Jose earlier this week. The payout could be one of, if not the largest in a case of its kind, according to Glen Summers, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

Each user involved in the lawsuit is entitled to up to $100 from Google, which has denied any wrongdoing and agreed to ask for permission during the setup process of a new phone from now on. A toggle will be added so users can easily disable data transfer, while the Alphabet-owned company will also adjust its terms of service. A trial is scheduled for August 5.

This is the second settlement this week for Google. On January 26, the company also in a $68 million settlement over claims that Google Assistant spied on users after being triggered by what were mistakenly heard as words. Again, Google denies any wrongdoing in the class action suit.



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