A federal jury has ordered Google to pay $425 million in damages following allegations that the company continued to collect user data even after users had turned off tracking settings. The Google class action lawsuit—one of the largest privacy-related cases in recent years—could impact nearly 98 million U.S. users if the payout moves forward.
So far, the company has denied any wrongdoing and has announced plans to appeal the decision.
Background of the Google Class Action Lawsuit
The Google class action lawsuit, known as Rodriguez v. Google LLC (Case No. 3:20-cv-04688), stems from a complaint filed in July 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
This case, presided over by Chief Judge Richard Seeborg, accuses Google of unlawfully gathering user data from mobile devices despite users disabling the company’s “Web & App Activity” controls.
Four plaintiffs filed the initial complaint, alleging violations of privacy laws and unauthorized data access. Specifically, the Google privacy lawsuit claims that Google used embedded software, such as its Firebase Software Development Kit (SDK) and Google Mobile Ads SDK, to collect information about users’ activity on non-Google applications without appropriate consent or disclosure.
The plaintiffs’ main legal claims revolve around invasion of privacy, intrusion upon seclusion, and violation of California’s Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (CDAFA).
What the Google Privacy Lawsuit Alleges
At the core of the Google data tracking lawsuit are accusations that Google misled account holders into believing that turning off “Web & App Activity” or “Supplemental Web & App Activity” would fully halt data collection. Despite these settings being disabled, user information allegedly continued to be sent to Google through third-party apps such as Uber, Venmo, Instagram, and TikTok.
According to the plaintiffs, this activity violated users’ privacy rights by allowing Google to gather app data for its own benefit. Google, however, has maintained that the collected information was “nonpersonal, pseudonymous, and securely stored,” emphasizing that it was not linked to specific Google accounts or identifiable individuals, reported CNBC.
This ongoing Google Web & App Activity lawsuit highlights the growing scrutiny of tech companies' handling of consumer data and disclosure of their tracking practices.
Class Certification and Who Is Included
You may be part of the class if you meet the following criteria:
- You had a non-enterprise or non-Unicorn Google account (not a business or supervised child account).
- You turned off or paused “Web & App Activity” or “Supplemental Web & App Activity” at any time between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024.
- Despite doing so, your app activity data was still transmitted to Google from a non-Google application.
If you qualify, you do not need to file an individual claim at this stage. Members are automatically included and will be notified if a payout becomes available.
The Google data privacy violation claims remain under review as the case proceeds through the appeal process. But the court has certified the Google Analytics tracking case as a nationwide class action covering millions of Google users and 174 million devices. Two main classes were created based on the operating system used:
- Class 1: Individuals using Android devices whose app data was transmitted to Google despite having tracking settings turned off.
- Class 2: Individuals using non-Android devices (such as iPhones) who experienced the same issue.
Users with enterprise-managed accounts or supervised child accounts (known as “Unicorn” accounts) were excluded from the privacy-related claims but may still qualify under the CDAFA portion of the case.
Eligible individuals were automatically included unless they chose to opt out before February 20, 2025.
The $425 Million Verdict and Breakdown
According to an article by Kiplinger on September 6, 2025, the plaintiffs had originally sought $31 billion. The new $425 million verdict amount allocates approximately $247 million for Android users and $178 million for non-Android users.
However, the Google $425 million settlement has not yet been finalized. Based on recent developments and court documents, Google is appealing the decision, and the final payout will depend on the outcome of that appeal.
As of October 2025, the Court has not distributed any compensation to class members.
Legal Rights and Options
Class members have several options:
- Do nothing: Stay in the class and await the outcome. You will be bound by any judgment and may receive compensation if the settlement is upheld.
- Exclude yourself: Only those who submitted a written request before February 20, 2025, had the choice to opt out and retain the right to sue Google individually.
Currently, no money is available, and there is no guarantee that compensation will be issued in the future. The Google $425 million settlement will only be distributed if Google’s appeal fails and the court approves the payout.
The plaintiffs are represented by law firms Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, Morgan & Morgan, and Susman Godfrey LLP, who were appointed as class counsel.
Current Status of the Case
Court filings from October 2025 show that post-trial motions and briefings are ongoing. Judge Seeborg recently approved a post-trial briefing schedule, and the court is reviewing pending motions as Google continues its appeal.
Recent docket entries also reflect the submission of trial exhibits and administrative notices, signaling continued progress in the case. The court has yet to issue a final ruling on Google’s motion for appeal or confirm when the Google class action payout in 2025 might occur.
What Happens Next
The Court will determine whether the Google $425 million settlement stands after appeals. If upheld, payments will be distributed among the approximately 98 million eligible users. If overturned the case will e remanded, plaintiffs could seek further review or renegotiation.
If you believe you may be affected by the Google privacy lawsuit, review your account settings and stay updated through the official case website or contact the notice administrator at 1-855-822-8821.
The Google class action payout 2025 is still pending, but knowing your rights ensures you don’t miss potential updates or future compensation opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It alleges that Google continued to collect data from users even after they turned off their “Web & App Activity” settings, violating privacy and data protection laws.
Not yet. The verdict is under appeal, and no payments will be made until the appeal process concludes.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are automatically included and will receive an official notice or email if compensation becomes available.
No payout date has been set. The timeline depends on the outcome of Google’s appeal and subsequent court approvals.
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