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Google has been ordered to pay over $314 million in damages after a California court ruled that the company misused Android users' cell phone data without consent. The fine is the latest blow to Google's reputation following a string of controversies and privacy concerns.
Google has been ordered to pay over $314 million in damages to affected Android users. A California court found Google guilty of misusing user data, violating California law. The misuse was discovered through tests showing that even idle devices continued to send significant amounts of data back to Google. Google had argued that no harm occurred and that users consented to data sharing via policies, but the court disagreed.
Google, one of the world's largest and most influential technology companies, has been hit with a significant fine for its misuse of Android user data. In a ruling that has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, a California court has ordered Google to pay over $314 million in damages to affected users.
The case, which was filed in August 2019, represented around 14 million Californians and claimed that Google had misused Android users' cell phone data for its own benefit. The plaintiffs argued that Google could have limited the use of cellular networks to send data back to the company, but instead chose to use these networks to consume users' cellular data without their consent.
This decision was based on a series of tests conducted by the plaintiffs, which showed that even when Android devices were idle and no apps were open, they continued to send a significant amount of data back to Google. In one test, a Samsung Galaxy S7 with default settings sent 8.88MB/day of cellular data, with 94% of this data going to Google. This data was mostly log files, which the company could have easily waited for Wi-Fi before sending.
The plaintiffs' attorney, Glen Summers, hailed the verdict as a strong affirmation of the company's misconduct and the case's validity. "The [verdict] forcefully vindicates the merits of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google’s misconduct," he said.
Google had argued that no harm occurred and that users had consented to data sharing via its policies. However, the court found in favor of the plaintiffs, ruling that Google's actions were a violation of California law.
This ruling is not an isolated incident. A separate federal lawsuit with similar claims is currently underway, representing users from the other 49 states and set for trial in April 2026. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold, but one thing is certain: it has highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in the tech industry.
The use of cellular networks to consume data without consent is a serious issue that raises concerns about user privacy and security. As technology continues to evolve and become more ubiquitous, it is essential that companies like Google prioritize their users' needs and respect their rights.
In conclusion, the fine imposed on Google serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in the tech industry. While Google's actions may have been seen as minor by some, they had significant consequences for Android users. As we move forward, it is crucial that companies like Google prioritize transparency and user consent, ensuring that their actions align with the law and respect users' rights.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Android-User-Data-Misuse-Google-Faces-314-Million-Fine-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/179628/laws-and-regulations/google-fined-314m-for-misusing-idle-android-users-data.html
Published: Fri Jul 4 11:20:02 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
