San Jose, California, April 14, 2026, 12:05 PDT
Google’s $135 million cellular-data settlement is moving forward, and now millions of U.S. Android users are getting notifications to pick an electronic payment option. That comes ahead of a June 23 hearing in San Jose.
The timing is key given the enormous size of the class. According to court filings, the federal class could include over 100 million people. Net of fees and administrative costs, the settlement fund stands at approximately $85 million. That works out to an estimated payout between $1.01 and $1.48 per person, with the midpoint landing near $1.20.
Class members aren’t required to submit a standard claim form. They’re given options: Zelle, PayPal/Venmo, ACH transfer, or a virtual Mastercard. The settlement administrator plans to send automatic electronic payments for many users who don’t make a choice, or if their initial pick doesn’t go through.
In Taylor v. Google LLC, plaintiffs alleged that Android devices transmitted data to Google over cellular networks even when the phones sat idle, screens locked, apps shut down, and location sharing disabled. They argued that since users paid carriers for that data, Google’s background transfers amounted to conversion—essentially taking property paid for by someone else, without consent.
The class action affects U.S. users who went online via Android devices using cellular data between Nov. 12, 2017 and the date of final judgment, except those already included in the California suit Csupo v. Google LLC. The payout? It’s split among everyone in the class, but with a $100 limit per person. Plaintiffs, according to the court, don’t expect anyone to hit that maximum.
Google has pushed back against the allegations, insisting it did nothing wrong. “We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe,” spokesperson José Castañeda said. As part of the settlement, Google will make disclosures during Android device setup more explicit, update its Google Play terms and help-center messaging, and require users’ express consent before any data transfers at issue. New York Post
This dispute surfaces as mobile-platform firms face heightened scrutiny over privacy. Back in January 2025, Apple consented to a $95 million settlement tied to allegations Siri inadvertently captured private conversations—claims the company also refuted. The episode highlights persistent legal exposure around handling background and voice data.
The settlement hasn’t crossed the finish line yet. People can still object or opt out until May 29. U.S. Magistrate Judge Virginia DeMarchi is scheduled to weigh in on June 23. Any appeal would push payments back again; plus, the total payout hangs on fees, taxes, administrative costs, and the number of class members who can actually be contacted or paid.
California users aren’t included in the federal settlement, court filings indicate, after a separate state case led to a $314.6 million jury award last July and a $350 million settlement afterward. With California carved out and the national class so large, that’s largely why most Android users will likely see just a modest payout from this nine-figure deal.
