Android Users In The US Are Getting Paid $100 From Google

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Thanks to a class action settlement against Google, the company has agreed to pay $135 million to Android users in the United States, with the settlement reached in California federal court. The lawsuit claims that Google conducted passive data transfers without users’ knowledge or consent between November 12, 2017, and the final date of the settlement period. The company was accused of unlawfully accessing and utilizing data and sending that information over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, even when the devices were idle.

It’s a breach of privacy protections and an egregious violation of consent practices, as Google apparently never disclosed doing these actions. Data transfers occurred over networks regardless of whether users disabled the option to allow background data usage. That function clearly was not working as described and has been considered deceptive — and is a feature you should never use on your Android phone. The $135 million non-reversionary settlement fund will go to more than 100 million Americans who used their Android devices during the settlement period. California residents are excluded from this settlement as they are covered by a separate $314 million class-action suit (via Top Class Actions).

As part of the more recent suit, if you are affected, you shouldn’t have to do anything — you’ll automatically receive a one-time, pro-rated cash payment in the payment account associated with your current Google account email address. Payouts…

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