Google Ordered To Pay $315 Million for Taking Data From Idle Android Phones

A California jury has ruled that Google is liable for collecting data from idle Android smartphones without permission, resulting in an order for the company to pay $314.6 million to affected users in the state. The jury found that Google sent and received information from idle phones, which created unnecessary burdens on device users for the company's benefit. This decision is the result of a 2019 class action lawsuit representing approximately 14 million Californians who claimed that Google used their cellular data for targeted advertising purposes. The lawsuit alleged that Google's actions consumed the cellular data of Android device users without their consent, leading to the significant damages award.