Do you own an Android phone? Well, you might be entitled to some money soon. Millions of Android users may be owed money, and many don’t even know it yet. Here’s how to find out if you’re qualified.
A massive $135 million settlement involving Google is now making headlines, and it could affect people who’ve used Android phones over the past several years.
The reason? A lawsuit claimed that Android devices were quietly sending data back to Google — even when users weren’t actively using their phones.
For years, Google has been accused of collecting data from Android phones without users’ permission. A lawsuit in California was settled last year for $314 million. Now, another similar case has been resolved, and it could lead to payments for an additional 100 million people.
According to the case, this happened in the background of the phone and could even occur when apps were closed, per CBS.
The lawsuit didn’t hold back, accusing the tech giant of making users pay the price without realizing it. The lawsuit claimed, “Google effectively forces these users to subsidize its surveillance by secretly programming Android devices to constantly transmit user information to Google in real time, thus appropriating the valuable cellular data users have purchased,”
Google to pay out $135 million to Android users
Google has denied any wrongdoing; however, it agreed to settle to avoid a long and costly legal battle.
So who would be eligible for this payout? Per the settlements website, people who used Android mobile devices to connect to the internet via a cellular network from Nov. 12, 2017, until present could qualify for the payment.
Reports suggest that over 100 million users may qualify. People filing a claim must enter their preferred payment method on the settlement website at this link. The link asks for your notice ID and confirmation code to confirm the payment method.
However, while some might imagine you will become a millionaire, that is not really the case. Estimates suggest that some users could receive a few dollars, while others could receive up to $100. It all depends on how many people make claims that they are entitled to a payout.
A final decision on the settlement is expected later this year, with a court hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
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