An estimated 10s of millions of Americans who have used Android phones recently might be in line for a piece of a $135 million settlement with Google.
The lawsuit claims that Android devices transmitted user data to Google without permission, thus utilizing users’ paid mobile data. Google has denied any wrongdoing but has still agreed to the settlement.
According to Mobile Market Share data, there are about 117 million Android users in the U.S., in contrast to roughly 200 million iPhone and other non-Android users.
Payments from the settlement, depending on how many users file claims, are capped at $100 per individual. However, individuals are expected to receive much less, perhaps around $1 to $1.50 each.
So, how do you know if you qualify? Well, there are several criteria to consider.
You must be an individual (not a company) in the U.S. who accessed the Internet using an Android device on a mobile data plan since November 12, 2017.
It’s also important to note that you can’t be involved in another California lawsuit, Csupo v. Google LLC, which excludes some users from this particular settlement.
If you fit these conditions, you’re welcome to take part.
If you have any doubts, the settlement documentation suggests contacting your administrator or checking the official site to verify your eligibility.
Getting your money isn’t exactly complicated, but it’s not entirely automatic either.
Users should head to the official payment website and select their preferred payment method.
You don’t need to fill out a traditional claim form, but be cautious—if you don’t choose a payment option, you might miss out, especially if an automatic payment attempt fails.
If no option is selected, the administrator might try to send payments via services like Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo using the account information on file.
If you decide to opt out and want to retain your right to sue individually, you’ll need to submit a request, which may require a notification ID and a signed form sent to you via mail.
The deadline to opt out or appeal is May 29th, and there’s a final approval hearing set for June 23rd.
If everything goes according to plan, payments will be equally distributed among the eligible users.
In a statement, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda expressed satisfaction with resolving the lawsuit, saying it mischaracterized standard practices aimed at keeping Android secure. He added that they are making further disclosures to help users understand how their services function.
