Google Loses $314.6 Million Lawsuit Over Android Data Collection in California

Google has just suffered a major legal defeat in California, where a jury ruled in favor of plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit involving data collection practices on Android phones. The case, originally filed in 2019 on behalf of around 14 million Californians, accused Google of unlawfully collecting and transmitting personal data even when devices were idle, leading to an $800 million damage claim.

The jury ultimately awarded $314.6 million in damages—a figure some observers are cheekily noting is “almost π.” At the heart of the case was the accusation that Android devices were sending data to Google’s servers via mobile data, even when not in active use, costing users money and enabling targeted advertising without explicit consent.

Google has announced plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that the data transfers were covered by its terms of service and privacy policies, and were necessary for maintaining device security and performance. A company spokesperson said the decision “misunderstands services that are critical to Android’s functionality.”

Meanwhile, this legal battle is far from over. A separate lawsuit has already been filed on behalf of Android users in the remaining 49 U.S. states, with a trial set to begin in April. That case could pose an even greater challenge to Google's data practices.

This verdict marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over user privacy, consent, and the business models of tech giants.