News
September 05, 2025
Google facing $425.7 million in damages for nearly a decade of improper smartphone snooping
A federal jury has ordered Google to pay $425.7 million for improperly snooping on people’s smartphones during a nearly decade-long period of intrusions. The verdict reached Wednesday in San Francisco federal court followed a more than two-week trial in a...
Google has been ordered to pay a hefty $425.7 million in damages after a federal jury found the tech giant guilty of improperly tracking smartphone users for nearly a decade. The verdict, delivered Wednesday in a San Francisco federal court, marks the culmination of a lengthy legal battle and shines a spotlight on the ongoing concerns surrounding data privacy in the digital age.
The case centered around allegations that Google was collecting user data even when individuals believed their privacy settings were properly configured. Plaintiffs argued that the company continued to monitor their online activity despite assurances that their location tracking was disabled. This surreptitious data collection, they claimed, allowed Google to gather valuable information about their habits, movements, and interests, which was then used for targeted advertising and other commercial purposes.
The more than two-week trial presented complex technical arguments about how Google’s operating system, Android, and its various apps interacted with user privacy settings. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs meticulously presented evidence they believed demonstrated a pattern of intrusive behavior spanning almost ten years. While Google maintained its innocence, arguing that the data collection was necessary for improving its services and that users had consented to the tracking through its terms of service, the jury ultimately sided with the plaintiffs.
The significant damages awarded reflect the seriousness with which the jury viewed Google's actions. This verdict could have broader implications for other tech companies that rely on collecting user data, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of their privacy practices and more stringent regulations.
While the legal battle may not be entirely over, as Google could appeal the verdict, this ruling sends a clear message about the importance of protecting consumer privacy and holding companies accountable for their data collection practices. The case serves as a potent reminder that users are increasingly aware of and concerned about how their personal information is being used, and that they expect transparency and control over their digital footprint.
The case centered around allegations that Google was collecting user data even when individuals believed their privacy settings were properly configured. Plaintiffs argued that the company continued to monitor their online activity despite assurances that their location tracking was disabled. This surreptitious data collection, they claimed, allowed Google to gather valuable information about their habits, movements, and interests, which was then used for targeted advertising and other commercial purposes.
The more than two-week trial presented complex technical arguments about how Google’s operating system, Android, and its various apps interacted with user privacy settings. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs meticulously presented evidence they believed demonstrated a pattern of intrusive behavior spanning almost ten years. While Google maintained its innocence, arguing that the data collection was necessary for improving its services and that users had consented to the tracking through its terms of service, the jury ultimately sided with the plaintiffs.
The significant damages awarded reflect the seriousness with which the jury viewed Google's actions. This verdict could have broader implications for other tech companies that rely on collecting user data, potentially leading to increased scrutiny of their privacy practices and more stringent regulations.
While the legal battle may not be entirely over, as Google could appeal the verdict, this ruling sends a clear message about the importance of protecting consumer privacy and holding companies accountable for their data collection practices. The case serves as a potent reminder that users are increasingly aware of and concerned about how their personal information is being used, and that they expect transparency and control over their digital footprint.
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Business