"Google agreed to two settlements within the span of a week that would see the tech giant pay out over $200 million. Smartphone users accused Google of programming its Android operating system to collect their cellular data without permission in one class action lawsuit, while others claimed that its voice-activated assistant spied inappropriately on them in a separate class action lawsuit. Both lawsuits were filed in federal court in the Northern District of California and require a judge's approval before moving forward. Google denied wrongdoing in both settlements."
"Android users alleged that Google needlessly collected cellular data, which they purchased from mobile carriers, even when they closed Google's apps, disabled location-sharing or locked their screens. They said the data supported Google's product development and targeted advertising campaigns and amounted to "conversion," when a party wrongfully takes another party's property with the intent to assert control. Glen Summers, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a court filing that he believed the $135 million payout is the largest ever in a conversion case. Payments are capped at $100 per class member."
Google reached two separate class-action settlements totaling more than $200 million to resolve claims about data collection and recordings. One lawsuit alleged Android collected cellular data without permission even when apps were closed, location sharing was disabled, or screens were locked, with plaintiffs calling the practice conversion and seeking payments capped at $100 per class member under a proposed $135 million settlement. Another lawsuit alleged the Google Assistant improperly recorded and disseminated private conversations. Both suits were filed in the Northern District of California and require a judge's approval. Google denied any wrongdoing in both matters.
#google-settlements #android-data-collection #google-assistant-recordings #class-action-privacy-lawsuits
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