A court ordered Google to pay $425 million after finding the company misled 98 million users about data collection through its “Web & App Activity” setting[1]. The case revealed Google continued gathering user data via Firebase, a monitoring database embedded in 97% of top Android apps and 54% of leading iOS apps, even after users disabled data collection[1:1].
Google’s internal communications showed the company was “intentionally vague” about its data collection practices because being transparent “could sound alarming to users,” according to district judge Richard Seeborg[1:2].
This ruling adds to Google’s recent privacy settlements, including:
- $392 million paid to 40 states in 2023 for location tracking violations
- $40 million to Washington state for similar location tracking issues
- $1.38 billion to Texas in 2025 over location tracking and incognito mode claims[1:3]
Google plans to appeal the $425 million verdict, with spokesperson Jose Castaneda stating “This decision misunderstands how our products work” and asserting that Google honors user privacy choices[1:4].
I’m sure Google profited more than $425 million by doing so.
This is just part of the cost of doing business.
Uh yes, I would like to claim my $425m please and thank you.
Great
So lawyers get half right off the bat. Leaves 212 ish million.
This affected how many, let’s say 1 billion users. Your privacy is worth 25 cents.
Oh and let’s not forget google gets to keep that data it illegally collected.
Like 25¢ per user.
A quarter of a cent?
Redundant. Thanks for pointing that out.
I hope it’s the amount for each user
This outcome is predictable, as these corporations tend to avoid consequences.
what’re you gonna do with your penny
Billion starts with a “B”
Last week I created a temporary google account using an address from my own domain. The other day Google sent a mail that the account is restricted and I need to verify my age first. I’m located in central EU, why is Google doing this?
People were ever confused about Google’s relationship with privacy?
I think if anyone is financially liable for misleading anyone, it’s the Android community. I mean the fanboys, the anti-Apple guys, the ones who downplayed, omitted, or straight up lied about Android being a vehicle for data collection first and foremost. But they have no direct financial gain for doing so (they gain nothing if you buy a phone running Android, and they lose nothing if you buy an iPhone) so they can’t be held liable.
Google has never been your friend if you care about privacy. You use Google tools because they’re free and they’re pretty good. You pay with your privacy. Always have. You use Android because it’s more customisable than iOS, and because of the illusion of open source (iOS is based on macOS which was based on NeXTSTEP which was basically UNIX, so who cares if Android is Linux?). And because you can install custom firmware (e.g. GrapheneOS) which is Android with the tracking stuff stripped out. But you’re still paying Google and paying into their business model, i.e. rewarding them for bad behaviour (or at least that which you profess to disapprove of).
(FWIW, I use both platforms. I like both platforms, and I can tell you what I like more about each one beyond what I’ve said, but it’s apocryphal at best.)
“google mislead ____ about privacy”…no! Really?! They would never!
Don’t they have a rule, “don’t be evil.” oh wait.
Yes, when it was still Anakim Skywalker leading the company
Isn’t he now?
…as Dard Vader
they got rid of the “don’t” part about the same time they bought youtube or so…maybe they waited until the moment they started auto-un-subbing people from certain channels, that’s where everything really got fucked up, it started from that
Yes, a big surprise
$425m is chump change to google, and they’re still trying to get out of it. Shows how unfathomably greedy these parasites are.
Zuckerberg has two $200m yachts. Google execs could probably find $425m in their couch cushions.
They continued harvesting data from users after the users explicitly disabled an option to shut that off. And for that, they owe $4 a person. When are we going to starting fining these companies properly? How about a thousand dollars a person for an infraction like this? Maybe a $98 billion fine might get them to start caring.
We need a dearth penalty for corporations.
“Google plans to appeal the $425 million verdict with a judge who will ‘mysteriously’ buy a mansion after the case”
What are you guys gonna do with your nickel?
Don’t downplay it – it’s a whole $4! That’s a bowl of soup for all of your privacy. Until they appeal it, that is.
Oh, there’s no way anyone is getting anywhere near (settlement total/number of people). That’s before the lawyer cut.
That’s 3 bowls if the soup is on sale. I literally just bought some for $1.25 a can. Though, that’s before taxes.
You could feed your whole family with that much soup!
Fucking family of 1.
