In a significant legal setback, a California court has ordered Google to pay $314 million for improperly using Android users’ cellular data while their devices were idle, following a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019. The verdict marks another blow to the tech giant amid growing scrutiny over its data privacy practices.
Why was Google sued?
The lawsuit alleged that Android devices passively sent data to Google servers, even when they were idle and not actively being used by the owner. Plaintiffs argued that these background transfers happened over cellular networks, consuming users’ data plans without consent.
According to court documents, the Android operating system was designed to transmit log files, network states, and app information continuously — even when users closed all Google apps and left their devices dormant. Although Google could have restricted these transfers to Wi-Fi connections or allowed users to opt out, the company did neither, plaintiffs claimed.
One test cited in the lawsuit showed a Samsung Galaxy S7 sent and received nearly 9 MB of cellular data per day, with about 94% of the traffic being communications with Google’s servers. Another test from 2018 showed an Android phone performed approximately 900 passive data transfers in 24 hours, while a comparable iPhone sent significantly fewer.
What did the court decide?
After a trial that began on June 2, 2025, the jury sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that Google violated California law by misappropriating users’ data for its own benefit. The court determined that these “mandatory and unavoidable” background transfers unfairly consumed users’ data allowances, effectively shifting costs onto consumers without permission.
How did Google respond?
Google announced it plans to appeal the verdict, asserting that the data transfers are essential for security, performance, and reliability of Android devices. The company also noted that these activities are disclosed in its terms of use and that users consent when they agree to those terms.
A Google spokesperson told Reuters:
“These transmissions are integral to maintaining Android functionality, and we strongly believe our practices comply with the law. We will appeal this decision.”
The bigger picture
This ruling comes just weeks after Google agreed to pay $1.4 billion to settle lawsuits in Texas over tracking user locations and storing facial recognition data without consent. It also follows a €200 million ($227 million) fine imposed on Meta by the European Commission for its “pay-or-consent” ads model, which regulators found incompatible with the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
These cases highlight the increasing legal and regulatory pressure on tech companies to prioritize user privacy and transparency, particularly regarding how they collect and use personal data.
What can users do?
If you’re concerned about passive data collection on your Android device, here are some immediate steps you can take:
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Review app permissions and revoke unnecessary access.
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Use Wi-Fi whenever possible to minimize cellular data usage.
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Disable background data for apps where feasible.
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Regularly check data usage in your device’s settings to identify unusual activity.
Final thoughts
The $314 million ruling underscores the ongoing debate around user consent, transparency, and data privacy in the digital age. As more cases come to light, consumers and regulators alike are demanding clearer choices and stronger safeguards against unapproved data usage.
Stay tuned for more updates as Google pursues its appeal and as other tech companies face similar scrutiny over their data practices.