A proposed settlement of $135 million has been reached in the class-action lawsuit Joseph Taylor v. Google, concerning allegations that Google improperly collected users' cellular data through Android devices. The lawsuit claims that since 2017, Google has been automatically harvesting data without user consent, even when users disable location services or close applications.
Google has denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case, with the court issuing preliminary approval for the payout. The upcoming final approval meeting, set for June 23, will determine the distribution plan and finalize attorneys' fees. If you qualify for the settlement, you need to choose a payment method on the official settlement site by that date to receive any compensation.
This lawsuit raises significant questions about data privacy and user consent, especially as it alleges that Google's practices may constitute a crime known as conversion, where one party deprives another of their property. The company emphasizes that its data collection methods are standard for industry practices aimed at enhancing user safety.