Google has reached a $135 million settlement over allegations that it secretly collected and sold cellular data from Android users without adequate disclosure or consent. The deal could result in automatic payments of up to $100 to over 100 million Android users — and no claim form is required.
Read more about the Google Android cellular data tracking settlement.
Status: Awaiting Preliminary Approval | No Claim Form Required
What Are the Allegations?
The lawsuit claims that Google built tracking tools into the Android operating system that gathered information about how users consumed their cellular data plans. According to the complaint, this data — which users paid their carriers for — was then shared with third-party advertisers to power targeted ads. The plaintiffs argue that Google did this without clearly telling users or giving them a meaningful way to stop it.
Google has not admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
Who Is Eligible?
The settlement covers anyone in the United States who used an Android device with a cellular data connection between November 12, 2017 and the date the court grants final approval. That window covers more than 100 million people.
There is one major exception: California residents are excluded from this settlement because they are covered by a separate $314.6 million deal that addresses similar claims under California privacy law.
How Much Will Payments Be?
- Eligible users can receive a one-time cash payment of up to $100
- The exact amount per person will depend on how many people are in the final class and how the fund is distributed after attorney fees and administration costs
- Payments will be sent automatically through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle — no claim form needs to be filed
What Changes Is Google Making?
Beyond the cash payments, the settlement requires Google to make changes to how it handles cellular data on Android devices going forward:
- Google must add new on-screen prompts that clearly explain data collection and ask for user consent before proceeding
- The company must update its Terms of Service to more transparently describe how cellular data information is used
- Google must fix the “allow background data usage” setting so it accurately reflects what happens when users toggle it on or off
Where Does This Stand?
The proposed settlement was filed with the court on January 27, 2026. It is currently awaiting preliminary approval from the judge. If approved, there will be a notice period followed by a final approval hearing. Payments would go out after the settlement becomes final and any appeals are resolved.
We will update this page as the case progresses.
Case Details
| Case Name | Taylor et al v. Google LLC |
| Case Number | 5:20-cv-07956 |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of California |
| Settlement Amount | $135 million |
By Steve Levine | Published: February 17, 2026
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful information. False claims can be rejected and may carry penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official notice or contact the settlement administrator. OpenClassActions.org is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.