Google $314M Verdict: Jury Finds Android Data Use Illegal

Google Loses Major Data Privacy Case in California

At Squaredtech.co, we’ve been closely tracking a high-stakes lawsuit that now delivers one of the largest privacy-related verdicts in Google’s history. A jury in San Jose, California has ordered Google to pay $314.6 million in damages to Android smartphone users across the state. The class action lawsuit accused Google of misusing cellular data from idle Android devices, siphoning off information without the user’s consent or knowledge.

The decision followed a month-long trial that exposed how Google’s systems operated in the background—sending and receiving data even when phones appeared to be dormant. The jury sided with plaintiffs who said these silent data transfers placed “mandatory and unavoidable burdens” on Android users while benefiting Google’s operations.

According to court documents reviewed by Squaredtech, the class action was filed back in 2019 on behalf of nearly 14 million Californians. These Android users argued that Google used their paid cellular data for company services like targeted ads—without permission and without offering any compensation.

Google, of course, has denied any wrongdoing. The company says it will appeal the verdict, claiming that the ruling misunderstands essential functions used to ensure Android’s performance, reliability, and security.

Read More About Our Article of Google Promotes AI Mode with Doodle: Gemini-Powered Search Gets a Boost Published on July 3rd, 2025 SquaredTech

Android Phones Sent Data in the Background—Without Consent

Evidence presented during the trial revealed troubling activity. Experts found that even with all Google apps closed, Android phones still transmitted large amounts of data to Google servers.

One test on a Samsung Galaxy S7 showed that a newly set-up phone with default settings used 8.88MB of data per day—with 94% of that usage involving Google. That’s almost 400 background data exchanges in just 24 hours, even while the phone sat untouched.

This data included:

• OS logs
• Network performance metrics
• Lists of open apps

According to court records, these logs weren’t time-sensitive. Google could have delayed their transfer until the phone connected to Wi-Fi, but instead, the company allowed them to be sent over mobile networks—at the user’s cost.

Another test cited in the complaint highlighted that Apple devices sent significantly less data under similar conditions. The difference emphasized how Android gave users far less control over background data consumption.

Plaintiffs argued that these silent exchanges violated California law and turned customers’ personal mobile data into free fuel for Google’s profit. The complaint also claimed Android’s settings gave users a false sense of control—with background data options that appeared to limit usage, but didn’t stop these transmissions.

Squaredtech reviewed the full complaint and found consistent language stating that Google treated user data as company property, without giving users a real option to opt out.

More Legal Trouble for Google Could Follow

This $314 million ruling might only be the beginning.

As Squaredtech previously reported, a separate lawsuit covering Android users in the other 49 U.S. states is now heading for trial in April 2026. If a federal jury delivers a similar verdict, Google could face billions more in financial penalties.

This decision also comes amid broader scrutiny of Google’s privacy practices. Just two months earlier, Google paid $1.4 billion to settle privacy lawsuits in Texas, related to location tracking and facial recognition. And it’s not just Google under fire—Meta is also appealing a €200 million fine from European regulators for its advertising practices under the Digital Markets Act.

Inside the courtroom, Google’s legal defense rested on the idea that users had agreed to data sharing via terms of service and privacy policies. They also insisted that the data transfers were required for maintaining Android’s performance. But the jury rejected those arguments.

One of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, Glen Summers, told Newsweek the verdict sends “a loud message” to Google. In his statement, Summers said:

“Google secretly collects a massive amount of information from Android smartphones and needlessly consumes users’ cellular data without their knowledge or consent.”

He added that Google’s settings gave a false sense of control, and that the company had known for years that users couldn’t truly stop these data transfers.

What’s Next for Google—and Android Users?

As reported by Squaredtech.co, Google has formally announced it will appeal the San Jose verdict. If the appeal fails and the federal lawsuit also results in a large payout, the total cost of these data misuse claims could surpass multiple billions of dollars.

Internally, Google is facing pressure. According to recent WARN Act notices, the company plans workforce reductions in July, continuing a wave of layoffs that began earlier this year. At the same time, Google just agreed to a major fusion energy deal, purchasing 200 megawatts of power from Commonwealth Fusion Systems in a first-of-its-kind agreement. These moves suggest the company is attempting to refocus long-term, even as legal challenges intensify.

Still, the damage to public trust may be more lasting than the financial penalties. Android users were led to believe their phones weren’t using data while idle, but evidence shows otherwise.

From an editorial perspective at Squaredtech, this case reflects a growing demand for transparency from tech giants. If platforms like Android consume personal data silently, users deserve a clear explanation and a real choice—not fine print hidden in terms and conditions.

With billions at stake and a rising tide of privacy-related court cases, Google may soon be forced to rebuild its user trust—and its Android systems—from the ground up.

Stay with Squaredtech for the latest updates on big tech lawsuits, privacy trends, and mobile OS accountability.

Stay Updated: Money Talks