One of Google’s biggest Android privacy lawsuits is now moving toward a payout that could reach roughly 100 million people.
Google has agreed to pay $135 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the company of collecting and transmitting Android users’ data without proper consent. The lawsuit alleged that Google designed Android to cause devices to “transfer a variety of information” to its systems, even when users weren’t actively using apps or had disabled certain settings.
Some claims went further, saying the system kept sending data in the background over cellular networks, consuming users’ mobile data without permission. Google has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement. The deal has already received preliminary court approval.
For Android users, the immediate question is practical: who qualifies, which deadlines matter, and how to ensure a payment does not slip through the cracks.
Who may be eligible
Based on the settlement terms, you may qualify if you:
- Are a US resident
- Used an Android device with a cellular data plan
- Used it at any time from November 12, 2017, to the settlement approval date
- Are not part of a related California-only settlement case
Even people who did not receive a notice email or letter may still be eligible and can verify through the settlement’s official channels, including its support contacts and FAQ section.
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What Android users need to do
Eligible users do not technically need to take action to receive payment. However, settlement administrators warned that failing to select a payment method could increase the risk of not receiving payment.
Users who received a settlement notice can visit the case website, enter their Notice ID and confirmation code, and choose how they want to be paid. Those who want to opt out of the settlement or formally object to it must submit their requests before the deadline listed on the settlement website. Objections can be submitted electronically or by mail.
Key legal steps are still ahead, including a May 29, 2026, deadline to opt out of or object to the settlement and a June 23, 2026, final court approval hearing.
Users who do not want to be part of the settlement can opt out by sending a signed written request. Objections can also be submitted by mail or electronically, but unlike opting out, objections do not remove you from receiving payment if the settlement is approved.
If the court gives final approval in June, the settlement will move into the distribution phase, where eligible Android users are contacted, and payments are processed.