Google fined $314 million for pulling data from idle Android phones without consent

It's no secret: Google collects a lot of user data from Android phones. While there are several ways to control how much data Google collects from your device, Android still doesn't match Apple's operating system when it comes to minimizing data collection. Now, a jury in California has hit Google with a $314.6 million fine for "misusing" customer cell phone data.

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As reported by Reuters, the jury sided with plaintiffs who accused Google of sending and receiving data from Android phones without user permission, even while the phones were idle. The class-action lawsuit was filed back in 2019 and represents roughly 14 million California residents.

The plaintiffs argued that Google was collecting user data in the background while phones were idle and using this information for purposes like targeted advertising, all while consuming cellular data at the users' expense.

Google plans to appeal the $314 million verdict

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told Reuters that the company will appeal the verdict. He added that the decision "misunderstands" services essential to the security, performance, and reliability of Android devices.

Google also claimed in court that Android users had already consented to such data transfers through the company's terms of service and privacy policies, and no harm had come to users.

Since Google has appealed, the fine won't be paid until the legal process concludes, and no payouts will be made in the meantime. As with most court cases, the process could take months — or even years — to fully resolve.

But this isn't the only lawsuit Google is facing for collecting user data without explicit consent. Another group has filed a separate suit in San Jose with similar claims on behalf of Android users in the other 49 US states. That case, however, isn't scheduled to go to trial until at least April next year.

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