Google has begun accepting claims for payments under a $135 million settlement it agreed to earlier this year. This settlement is linked to allegations that Android devices used users’ cellular data without clear consent.
The settlement, tied to the case Taylor et al. v. Google LLC, received preliminary approval in March and applies to certain Android users in the US. According to a Claimhub24 report, the payout process is now underway through an official settlement website, where eligible users can confirm payment details. While payments are expected to be issued only after final approval, the current phase allows users to ensure they are included in the distribution, the report claimed, citing official settlement documents.
How to check if you are eligible for Google’s Android data settlement claim
The settlement covers “all natural persons in the United States who have used mobile devices running the Android operating system to access the internet through cellular data networks” from November 12, 2017, until the date of final approval, as per court filings.However, users who were part of the California-based Csupo et al. v. Google LLC case are excluded from this settlement. The case alleges that Android transferred data in the background even when users believed it would not, including scenarios where apps were closed, location sharing was off, or devices were locked.
Legal arguments also state a “conversion,” claiming that the cellular data paid for by users was accessed without authorisation, which has helped Google in its business and advertising processes.
How eligible Android users can claim their settlement share
It is usually unnecessary for eligible users to fill out an ordinary claim form, and they only need to complete the payment election form available on the official settlement claim website, FederalCellularClassAction.com.
To access the form, users must log in using the Notice ID and Confirmation Code provided in their settlement notice. Payment options are expected to include Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, ACH transfer, and Virtual Mastercard.The final amount to be distributed will be determined on a pro rata basis from the net settlement fund, after deducting legal fees and other expenses. Although some accounts indicate that the total payout will be capped at $100 per individual, it will be less than that and will depend on the number of individuals who receive payment.Currently, the settlement is still under final approval, and the hearing will be held on June 23, 2026. The payout will be made only after approval is granted and all appeals are processed. As part of the settlement, Google will also make some non-monetary modifications to the terms of service, help pages, and other disclosures related to the use of background data and privacy.
