Google is facing a new class-action lawsuit for allegedly collecting data from Android devices without users’ explicit consent. The trial, scheduled for June 2025, could have a significant impact on the company and its privacy policies. The plaintiffs are seeking financial compensation while the company grapples with new legal challenges in the U.S. related to data privacy and business practices.
The lawsuit, titled Attila Csupo et al. v. Google LLC, was initially filed in 2019, but the trial is set to begin on June 2, 2025. According to Android Headlines, the plaintiffs accuse Google of gathering information from Android devices without permission, running processes in the background without notifying users. Even when phones are idle, data is transmitted, consuming users’ mobile data plans, which the lawsuit claims violates California law.
The plaintiffs demand that Google compensate users for the unauthorized use of their mobile data, which they argue the company has exploited for its own gain. This case adds to the mounting pressure on Google, which is also facing a Justice Department order to divest Chrome in an effort to curb its market dominance.
The lawsuit covers any California resident who has used an Android device with a mobile data plan since August 2016. Those who do not wish to be involved can opt out via the official case website.
This is not the first time Google has faced legal troubles of this kind. Last August, it received a historic penalty for abusing its dominant market position, and in 2023, it settled another lawsuit over misleading claims about Incognito Mode to avoid paying $5 billion.
With quarterly ad revenues exceeding $70 billion, Google’s personal data business remains a goldmine. So far, the company has not issued a statement regarding the lawsuit. However, it is likely to seek a settlement to avoid media scrutiny or rely on the fine print in its terms and conditions that few people read. Whatever the outcome, this case could set a precedent for how big tech companies handle user data without their knowledge.
