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Asif Mohammad Sovon

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Asif Mohammad Sovon @asif_mohammad_sovon

Meet Asif Mohammad Sovon, an IT Assistant in the Bangladesh Air Force and a tech writer for Fileion....

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Jul 07, 2025

California Jury Orders Google to Pay $314.6M for Android Data Use

California Jury Orders Google to Pay $314.6M for Android Data Use Fileion.Com

A San Jose jury has ruled that Google must pay $314.6 million to California Android users after finding the company collected and used mobile data without permission, even when devices were idle. The class-action lawsuit was filed in 2019 on behalf of roughly 14 million Californians.

Google Misused Idle Data

According to jurors, Google transmitted information from dormant Android devices over cellular networks. The plaintiffs argued these transfers were involuntary and enriched Google through targeted advertising while consuming users’ data plans. The jury agreed that this practice “imposed mandatory and unavoidable burdens” on users to Google’s benefit.

Legal Arguments and Company Defense

The lawsuit claimed Google harvested users’ data covertly, even from powered-off phones. Plaintiffs maintained Android users had a property interest in their data allowances and that Google wrongfully converted this resource.

Google, represented by spokesperson Jose Castaneda, said it plans to appeal. He stated the verdict “misunderstands services that are critical to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices”. Google also argued that users agreed to the data transfers through its Terms of Service, and no user experienced actual harm.

Plaintiffs Celebrate the Outcome

Plaintiff attorney Glen Summers called the ruling a “strong condemnation of Google’s practices,” saying it “forcefully vindicates the merits of this case”.

Wider Impact and What’s Next

A similar federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Android users in the remaining 49 U.S. states is scheduled for trial in April 2026. That case could seek damages in the billions of dollars, raising the stakes significantly.

What These Verdict Signals

  • User consent under scrutiny: The decision highlights legal debate over whether broad Terms of Service are sufficient to allow background data use.

  • Data as property: The jury treated cellular data allowances as personal property, setting a precedent under California law.

  • Corporate accountability: The case sends a message that companies can face heavy legal consequences for hidden data practices.

Google’s Historical Approach

Google typically settles big class-action suits to avoid trials. This case is notable because it went to a jury, after the court allowed the plaintiffs’ claim for “conversion”—treating the improper use of data as theft—to proceed

Final Take

This verdict underscores rising concerns over digital privacy and consent. As background data harvesting becomes more common, users are demanding clearer control. Google’s appeal will be closely watched, especially as related cases move forward. The broader 49-state trial next year could reshape how data ownership is viewed in U.S. law.

This ruling raises key questions for users and tech companies: Are broad terms enough for transparency? Should mobile data be considered personal property? It’s a landmark moment in data-rights jurisprudence.

 

What do you think—does this verdict protect users or threaten software functioning? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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