Here’s how to get money from Google’s $135M Android settlement

Millions of Americans who have used an Android phone in recent years could be eligible for a payout from a $135 million settlement with Google.

The lawsuit alleges that Google caused Android mobile devices to transfer a variety of information to Google without users’ permission, consuming their paid cellular data. Google denied that it did anything wrong but agreed to settle the lawsuit.

How much money can I get from Google Android settlement?

By the numbers:

The lawsuit states that it is currently unknown exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, because it depends in part on how many members are successfully paid.

According to The New York Post, individual payouts are expected to be small — roughly $1 to $1.50 per person — though payments are capped at $100 each.

How to qualify for Google’s Android settlement

What's next:

In order to qualify, an individual must live in the US and has used an Android device to access the internet using a cellular data plan at any point since Nov. 12, 2017.

In addition, individuals cannot be part of a separate case, Csupo v. Google LLC, which excludes certain users from this settlement. This is a similar lawsuit involving residents of California. 

Close-up of Google logo sign on building facade, San Francisco, California. (Credit: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Users can contact the settlement administrator or check the official website to confirm eligibility.

The objection deadline is May 29 with a final approval hearing scheduled for June 23.

"We are pleased to resolve this case, which mischaracterized standard industry practices that keep Android safe," José Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, told The Post via email.

"We’re providing additional disclosures to give people more information about how our services work."

Google settles another lawsuit

The backstory:

Earlier this year, Google agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class action lawsuit arguing that its voice-activated assistant secretly recorded smart device users in violation of their privacy.

The tech giant was accused of illegally recording and disseminating private conversations after its Google Assistant tool was triggered so it could send them targeted advertising.

EARLIER: 

Apple reached a similar settlement with smartphone users in December 2024 over its virtual assistant, Siri, for $95 million.

Big picture view:

Mobile market share data suggests there are about 117 million Android users in the US, compared with around 200 million iPhone and other non-Android users.

The Source: This story was reported from Los Angeles. The New York Post contributed.

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