A California jury has ordered Google to pay $314.6 million to Android users over covert data collection practices. The company allegedly harvested user data and consumed mobile data plans without consent.
A California state jury has awarded more than $314 million to Android users after finding Google secretly transferred user data without consent. The class-action suit claimed Google used mobile devices to harvest information for its own purposes, charging it against users’ cellular data plans.
According to the plaintiffs, Attila Csupo, Andrew Burke, and Kerry Hecht, Google’s conduct interfered with users’ property by consuming data they owned without permission. The jury agreed, stating users suffered harm and that Google’s actions were a substantial factor.
“We are deeply gratified by the jury’s verdict,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Glen Summers. “Google secretly collects massive data and misleads users about disabling such transfers.”
Google spokesperson José Castañeda said the company plans to appeal: “This ruling is a setback for users, as it misunderstands services critical to Android devices’ performance.”
The lawsuit is Attila Csupo et al. v. Google LLC, Case No. 19CV352557, in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County.
READ MORE AT TOP CLASS ACTIONS