Google Settled A $135 Million Class Action Lawsuit – Here's How Much You Could Get

Given just how many settlements a company like Meta alone has dealt with, it's fair to say that class action lawsuits are pretty par for the course in consumer-focused industries. One of the more high-profile examples to happen recently is Taylor v. Google LLC. Initially filed in 2020, plaintiffs in this suit allege that Google's Android operating system was transferring information back to Google without permission — and that the tech giant was using its users' own cellular data for the process beginning in 2017.

The settlement's official website estimates that around 100 million people have been affected by this data-draining practice, with Google ultimately agreeing to pay $135 million in compensation via a settlement reached earlier in 2026. The exact amount that those eligible for compensation will receive is yet to be determined, with the details not set in stone until after a final hearing — currently scheduled for June 23, 2026. 

While some sources estimate that payments could be as high as $100 per person, it's important to realize that this figure is listed as the maximum capped individual payment. The legal team representing the plaintiffs plans to ask for 29.5% of the payout to cover legal fees and other expenses, plus another $750,000. Whatever is left would then be divided evenly among eligible participants . However, if most of those 100 million people receive a share, and the legal team gets their way, final payments could come out to as low as 94 cents per person, before taxes.

According to the settlement's FAQ, pretty much any American who's owned an Android and used cellular data to connect to the internet between November 12, 2017 and May 2026 is eligible to get paid as a result of the settlement — assuming they're not already involved in the similar class action case specifically being filed for California residents. Many eligible Android users have already been notified via mail or e-mail that they qualify for compensation, and those who have been contacted can fill out the settlement's Payment Election form to receive their potential payment. However, even those who have been contacted and don't fill out the form could still receive their payment, but it's not guaranteed. If you think you might be eligible, and haven't yet been contacted, it could be worth reaching out to those involved, and soon, as the cut-off date for participating is May 29, 2026.

While no one should expect payouts anywhere near the $7,500 that AT&T customers were eligible for after a data breach, it's worth noting that the financial element isn't the only condition Google has to meet as part of this settlement. The tech giant also agreed to add a notice to Google Play's terms of service specifically acknowledging this data-draining practice and must remove the setting on Android phones that enabled the problem in the first place so that future Android users won't get burned the same way.