California Jury Slaps $314 Million Fine on Google

A California jury has ruled that Google must pay $314 million for covertly collecting data from Android users’ mobile devices without their consent. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday in a San Jose state court, followed a class-action lawsuit brought by consumers against the tech giant, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

The lawsuit claimed that Google programmed Android phones to siphon data to its servers, even when users were not connected to Wi-Fi, effectively using customers’ paid mobile data allowances. This data was allegedly exploited to enhance Google’s targeted advertising and improve its mapping services, prioritising corporate gains over user privacy. The case, filed in 2019 in Santa Clara Superior Court on behalf of California residents, is part of a broader wave of legal scrutiny over Google’s data privacy practices. A similar federal case involving Android users nationwide is slated for trial in early 2026.

Google’s spokesperson, José Castaneda, expressed strong disagreement with the ruling, announcing plans to appeal. He argued that the data transfers are essential for the security, performance, and reliability of billions of Android devices globally, consuming less data than sending a single photo. Castaneda also noted that users consent to these transfers through various terms of service agreements and device settings.

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Marc Wallenstein, a lawyer representing the consumers, hailed the verdict as a significant victory, underscoring the gravity of Google’s misconduct. “This decision sends a clear message about the importance of protecting user privacy,” Wallenstein said. The ruling marks a setback for Google, raising questions about its data practices as legal challenges mount.