Do you own an Android phone? If so, you may be owed money soon. Millions of Android users could be eligible for a payout, and many don’t even realize it yet. Here’s how to check if you qualify.
A $135 million settlement involving Google is now making headlines, and it could impact people who have used Android phones over the past several years.
The claim? A lawsuit alleged that Android devices were quietly sending data back to Google — even when users weren’t actively using their phones.
For years, Google has faced accusations of collecting data from Android phones without user permission. A lawsuit in California was previously settled for $314 million, and now another related case has been resolved, potentially affecting an additional 100 million people.
According to the case, this activity happened in the background and could occur even when apps were closed, per CBS.
The lawsuit was strongly worded, claiming, “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 but agreed to settle in order to avoid a long and costly legal battle.
So who is eligible for a payout? According to the settlement website, anyone who used an Android device to connect to the internet via a cellular network from Nov. 12, 2017, to the present may qualify.
Reports suggest over 100 million users could be eligible. Claimants are required to submit their preferred payment method through the official settlement site, using a notice ID and confirmation code to verify their claim.
However, while some may expect a large payout, that is unlikely. Estimates suggest some users may receive only a few dollars, while others could get up to around $100, depending on how many people file claims.
A final decision on the settlement is expected later this year, with a court hearing scheduled for June 23, 2026.
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