What Happened to $135 Million Google Android Cellular Data Settlement (Taylor v. Google LLC)?

The $135 Million Google Android Settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit, Taylor v. Google LLC, filed in 2020, which accused Google of unlawfully collecting and transferring user data from Android devices over cellular networks. Plaintiffs alleged that Google's Android operating system engaged in background data transfers without user permission, even when applications were closed and location sharing was disabled, effectively consuming users' paid cellular data. Google denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid the uncertainties and costs of prolonged litigation.

This settlement provides both monetary and injunctive relief. The monetary component involves a $135 million fund to compensate eligible class members. The injunctive relief includes Google's commitment to implement additional disclosures during Android device setup, aiming to provide users with more transparency regarding data collection practices. An estimated 100 million Android users in the United States who used a device with a cellular data plan at any time since November 12, 2017, are expected to qualify for a payment, with individual payouts potentially capped at $100.

Key turning points for this specific settlement include its filing in 2020 and the preliminary court approval granted on March 5, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2026. This settlement is distinct from other recent Google legal resolutions, such as the $700 million Google Play Store antitrust settlement with state attorneys general, which addresses anticompetitive practices related to app distribution and in-app purchases, and the $90 million settlement with small app developers over Play Store fees.

As of April 14, 2026, the $135 million settlement is in its final stages of approval. Class members who do not wish to participate or who want to object had deadlines in early 2026. Once final approval is granted in June 2026, the settlement administrator will proceed with distributing payments to eligible individuals, likely through electronic means such as PayPal or Venmo. The broader context of Google's legal landscape also includes policy changes in the Google Play Store following its settlement with Epic Games, expanding billing options and lowering developer fees, which began rolling out in early 2026 in various regions.