Google owes you money: $135m settlement for android data use

If you've used an Android phone in the US over the past several years, Google might owe you some cash. 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.

Anyone in the us with an android between 2017 and the court's final approval date is eligible.

Google's $135 million Android data settlement is now live, with the claims website for the Taylor v. Google case launching this week. Eligible Android users can now take action. The lawsuit alleged that Android phones were quietly sending cellular data to Google's servers even when the devices were sitting idle, like in your pocket or on your nightstand while you slept.

The core issue here is that Google was using your paid cellular data to transmit information back to its servers without your knowledge. That data helped Google with things like targeted advertising and mapping, essentially profiting off a resource you were footing the bill for.

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

For those eligible, you likely won't need to fill out a traditional claim form. 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, though. The settlement mentions a maximum of $100 per person, but temper your expectations. Once legal fees are deducted and millions of Android users file claims, your actual payout will almost certainly be much smaller.

I've personally filed claims in several class action settlements like this, and the payouts are always humbling. The most I've ever received was $40.10 from the Lopez et al. v. Apple Inc. case back in January. These settlements always sound massive in the headlines, but the reality for individual consumers is pocket change.

That said, it's still your money, and filing takes barely any effort. What bugs you the most about how big tech handles your personal data? 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.