this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026
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327
Google will pay $135 million to settle illegal data collection lawsuit (www.engadget.com)
submitted 2 days ago by tyrant@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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Google has agreed to a preliminary $135 million settlement in a class action lawsuit brought by Android users who accused it of harvesting their data without consent. The suit alleged that since November 12, 2017, Google has been illegally collecting cellular data from phones purchased through carriers, even when apps were closed or location features were disabled.

As reported by Reuters, the affected users believed Google using their data for marketing and product development meant it was guilty of "conversion." In US law, conversion occurs when one party takes the property of another with "the intent to deprive them of it" or "exert property rights over it."

Subject to approval from a judge, a settlement of $135 million was filed in a San Jose federal court earlier this week. The payout would be one of, if not the largest ever in a case of this nature, according to Glen Summers, a lawyer for the plaintiffs.

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[โ€“] palordrolap@fedia.io 6 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Any C-levels, current or former, who were in charge during the unethical behaviour should be made to pay this. Either they knew or they should have known. Seize their assets, take them back to basic income and lifestyle and only then take the remainder of the fine from the company.

Yeah, I know this is a pipe dream. These people have their arms lodged so deep in politicians it makes their mouths flap, so it'll never happen, but it would stop this sort of behaviour right quick.

[โ€“] ranzispa@mander.xyz 5 points 2 days ago

Agreed, LLC should only cover bankruptcy expenses and not penal responsibilities.