Google has agreed to pay up to $100 each to over 1.5 million Android users who claim the company was secretly collecting their cellular data without consent. The settlement comes after a group of plaintiffs alleged that since November 12, 2017, Google had been illicitly gathering location data from phones purchased through carriers, even when apps were closed or location features were disabled.
According to court documents filed in San Jose federal court, the affected users felt that by using their data for marketing and product development purposes, Google was guilty of "conversion" - a concept in US law where one party takes another's property with the intent to deprive them. The suit claimed this was happening without proper consent from Android users.
The $135 million settlement is reportedly one of the largest ever in a case like this, according to Glen Summers, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. If approved by a judge, each user involved would receive up to $100.
Google denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to make changes. The company will now seek consent from users during the setup process of a new phone and add a toggle that allows them to easily disable data transfer. Google's terms of service will also be adjusted accordingly. A trial in this case is scheduled for August 5.
According to court documents filed in San Jose federal court, the affected users felt that by using their data for marketing and product development purposes, Google was guilty of "conversion" - a concept in US law where one party takes another's property with the intent to deprive them. The suit claimed this was happening without proper consent from Android users.
The $135 million settlement is reportedly one of the largest ever in a case like this, according to Glen Summers, a lawyer for the plaintiffs. If approved by a judge, each user involved would receive up to $100.
Google denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to make changes. The company will now seek consent from users during the setup process of a new phone and add a toggle that allows them to easily disable data transfer. Google's terms of service will also be adjusted accordingly. A trial in this case is scheduled for August 5.
so I'm reading this news about Google paying out $100 to 1.5 million Android users who think they were secretly collecting their phone data without permission... I'm just thinking, isn't that like when you go to a public place and someone's always watching you? 
I mean, wouldn't we expect our phone companies to protect our personal info? 
it seems pretty crazy that Google wasn't doing that from the start. And now they're making changes... which is good, right? 
but still, it's weird that it took this many people to make them realize their mistake 
I guess it just goes to show how important it is to be careful with our personal data 
. I mean, come on Google! You've got to respect people's personal data and boundaries. It's not like you're just taking their data for the greater good or something... it's about your bottom line 
.
. I'm all for holding these companies accountable, but we need more than just a slap on the wrist. We need real changes that put users first, you know? Like, what's to stop them from just finding another way to siphon our data in the future? 
. Adding a toggle to disable data transfer and adjusting their terms of service are at least steps in the right direction... but we need more transparency and accountability from these companies, you feel me? 
It's a good thing they're willing to cough up some cash, but it's just a Band-Aid on the wound, right? 
, I'm surprised Google got caught doing something they shouldn't've been doing in the first place. I mean, who wants their location data just being shared with them without even knowing it's happening? It's like, what's next, people selling our personal info on eBay or something 
. The fact that they had to settle for $135 million is pretty interesting tho 
.