Google has agreed to a $135 million preliminary settlement in the class-action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC, which alleges the company transferred user data from Android devices without permission, thereby consuming users’ cellular data. While Google has not admitted fault, the company has agreed to the financial terms and specific operational changes.
As part of the agreement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that passive data transfers occur even when devices are idle, and that cellular data may be used when Wi-Fi is unavailable. Additionally, Google will stop collecting background data entirely when the “allow background data usage” option is deactivated.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a payout, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. resident.
- Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan at any time between November 12, 2017, and the date of final settlement approval.
- Not be a class member in Csupo v. Google LLC, a separate settlement designated specifically for California residents.
Claims and Payout Process
The exact individual payout amount remains undetermined, but the maximum distribution is capped at $100 per class member. Final amounts will be distributed equally from the remaining funds after administrative, tax, and legal fees are deducted.
Eligible individuals who received a Notice ID and Confirmation Code via mail or email can select their preferred payment method on the official settlement website. Those who did not receive a notice but believe they qualify can contact the settlement administrator via phone at 1-1844-655-4255 or email at info@FederalCellularClassAction.com. Eligible individuals who take no action will still receive a payment, though selecting a preferred method minimizes delivery risks.
Key Dates
The deadline to object to the settlement or request exclusion is May 29. A final approval hearing to evaluate the fairness of the settlement is scheduled for June 23, after which the court will make its final determination.