Android users eye payout

Millions of Android users in the United States can now line up for a share of a $135 million Google settlement over cellular data use, if a federal judge gives final approval on June 23. (federalcellularclassaction.com) The case is Taylor v. Google LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The court granted preliminary approval on March 5, 2026, after Google agreed to settle without admitting wrongdoing. (govinfo.gov) (angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com) Plaintiffs said Android devices sent information to Google over cellular networks without users’ permission, including when phones were idle, apps were closed, or Wi‑Fi was available. Google denied the claims in the settlement papers. (classaction.org) (angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com) The proposed class covers people in the United States who used an Android mobile device to access the internet through a cellular network from November 12, 2017 to the present. People already covered by the separate California case Csupo v. Google LLC are excluded. (federalcellularclassaction.com) (classaction.org) That California carveout reflects a parallel fight over similar conduct. In July 2024, a California state court jury ordered Google to pay about $314.6 million to Android users in that state in a separate data-transfer case. (reuters.com) The money in the federal case will not be split evenly at $100 a person. The settlement says payments will be made from the net fund after attorneys’ fees, costs, service awards, taxes, and administration expenses, with individual amounts determined on a pro rata basis. (angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com) (news.bloomberglaw.com) The official settlement site says class members do not need to submit a traditional claim form, but they should choose a payment method to improve the odds of getting paid. The deadline to opt out, object, or submit a payment election is May 29, 2026. (federalcellularclassaction.com) (cnet.com) Google also agreed to non-cash changes. The settlement papers say the company will update Android setup screens, Google Play terms, and help materials, and disable one related setting, to disclose the conduct at issue and obtain user consent. (angeion-public.s3.amazonaws.com) If Judge Virginia K. DeMarchi approves the deal on June 23, payments would come later, after any appeals are resolved and the settlement administrator completes distribution. For Android users outside California, the immediate date that matters is May 29. (govinfo.gov) (federalcellularclassaction.com)