Google faces $135m settlement over android data collection

Google may owe you money if you've used an Android phone in the US over the past several years. A $135 million settlement tied to how Android devices handled your cellular data is now officially accepting claims, and the process to get your share is surprisingly straightforward.

Eligibility and filing details

Almost anyone in the US who used an Android device on a cellular network between November 12, 2017 and the date of the court's final approval is eligible. The one exception is if you were already part of the separate Csupo case in California.

Eligible users should receive a payment election form where you simply choose how you want to get paid. Your options include PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, ACH transfer, or a virtual Mastercard.

Don't expect to retire off this payout. The settlement mentions a maximum of $100 per person, but legal fees will be deducted and millions of Android users will file claims, likely resulting in much smaller payouts.

Google hasn't admitted to any wrongdoing, which is standard for these types of settlements. But it agreed to the $135 million payout to avoid dragging it through the courts any longer.

If you recall, a jury in California actually hit Google with a $314 million verdict in a related case, so the company clearly had motivation to settle.

My advice? Head over to the settlement website, check your eligibility, and file. It takes a few minutes and costs you nothing. Even if the final amount is enough to cover just a coffee or two, it's a coffee Google is buying you because it used your data without asking.