On July 1st, a jury in California ruled that Google unlawfully utilized user data, resulting in a fine of $314.6 million to be paid to Android smartphone owners in the state. This was reported by Reuters.

The plaintiffs argued that Google was responsible for sending and receiving data from devices without consent while they were inactive. The lawsuit described this as a "mandatory burden that Android users bear for the benefit of Google".

A Google spokesperson stated that the company intends to appeal the jury's decision, claiming that the verdict "misunderstands essential services that are crucial for the safety and reliability of Android devices".

The plaintiffs' attorney remarked that the ruling "strongly confirms the validity of this case and reflects the seriousness of Google's wrongful acts".

The class action lawsuit was initiated in 2019 on behalf of approximately 14 million Californians, alleging that Google collected information from inactive Android smartphones while consuming cellular data without the users' knowledge.

In response, Google claimed that no Android users were harmed by the data transmission and that users had consented to it in the terms of service and privacy policy.

A similar lawsuit has also been filed by another group consisting of Android users from the other 49 states in the U.S., with the case set for consideration in April 2026.