Google ordered to pay $425 million for secretly tracking smartphones—what it means for your privacy
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Smartphones have become part of daily life, storing directions, appointments, photos, and even health information.
But what happens when the very tools we rely on for convenience also put our privacy at risk?
That question is front and center after a federal jury ordered Google to pay $425.7 million in damages.
The ruling found the company improperly tracked the activity of nearly 100 million smartphones across the United States.
For everyday users, the case serves as both a warning and a turning point in the ongoing debate about digital privacy.
After a two-week trial in San Francisco, a federal jury ruled that Google tracked smartphone activity from July 2016 through September 2024, despite user attempts to limit data collection.
Nearly 98 million devices were included in the class-action lawsuit.
While the damages amount to about $4 per device, the total adds up to one of the largest privacy-related penalties ever issued against a technology company.
The lawsuit centered on whether Google respected its own privacy controls.
Plaintiffs argued that users believed they had restricted or disabled tracking, but the company continued to collect browsing and activity data in the background.
Attorneys said Google used this information to create detailed user profiles and sell targeted ads, generating billions in revenue.
The jury agreed the practice violated California privacy laws.
Google has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
“When people turn off personalization, we honor that choice,” spokesman Jose Castaneda said after the verdict.
Company lawyers maintain that Google’s privacy tools give users meaningful control over their data and argue the ruling misinterprets how those tools function.
For privacy experts, the decision is seen as a major victory.
John Yanchunis, one of the lead attorneys, said: “We hope this result sends a message to the tech industry that Americans will not sit idly by as their information is collected and monetized against their will.”
Supporters believe the ruling signals a shift toward stronger accountability for technology companies.
The case comes as part of a broader wave of legal and regulatory challenges against Google and other large tech firms.
Just one day before the verdict, a federal judge in Washington, DC ordered Google to share some of its search data with competitors in an antitrust case.
While the company avoided a forced breakup, the ruling underscored growing concerns about its market power and influence.
This case highlights how vulnerable user information can be, even with privacy settings in place.
While industry-wide reforms may take time, individuals can take immediate steps to limit exposure:
This case may be just one chapter in the larger story of how technology and privacy collide, but it’s a reminder that even the most powerful companies can be challenged.
As courts and regulators continue to examine how data is collected and used, the outcome could reshape the digital landscape for years to come.
For now, the verdict against Google underscores a simple truth—our personal information matters, and protecting it is more important than ever.
Read next: A wave of tech issues could hit soon—are your devices on the list?
Privacy in the digital age continues to spark debate. Do you adjust your privacy settings, or do you leave them at default? Do you believe tech companies can be trusted to manage data responsibly, or should stronger regulations be put in place?
Sharing your experiences and opinions helps keep the conversation alive!
But what happens when the very tools we rely on for convenience also put our privacy at risk?
That question is front and center after a federal jury ordered Google to pay $425.7 million in damages.
The ruling found the company improperly tracked the activity of nearly 100 million smartphones across the United States.
For everyday users, the case serves as both a warning and a turning point in the ongoing debate about digital privacy.
Google has been ordered to pay $425 million after a jury found it improperly tracked smartphone users’ activity. Image Source: YouTube / cottonbro studio.
A landmark verdict in digital privacy
After a two-week trial in San Francisco, a federal jury ruled that Google tracked smartphone activity from July 2016 through September 2024, despite user attempts to limit data collection.
Nearly 98 million devices were included in the class-action lawsuit.
While the damages amount to about $4 per device, the total adds up to one of the largest privacy-related penalties ever issued against a technology company.
Also read: Google ordered to pay millions over data collection—see if you're affected
What Google was accused of
The lawsuit centered on whether Google respected its own privacy controls.
Plaintiffs argued that users believed they had restricted or disabled tracking, but the company continued to collect browsing and activity data in the background.
Attorneys said Google used this information to create detailed user profiles and sell targeted ads, generating billions in revenue.
The jury agreed the practice violated California privacy laws.
Also read: Waze vs. Google Maps vs. Apple Maps—which one actually delivers in 2025?
Google pushes back
Google has denied wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
“When people turn off personalization, we honor that choice,” spokesman Jose Castaneda said after the verdict.
Company lawyers maintain that Google’s privacy tools give users meaningful control over their data and argue the ruling misinterprets how those tools function.
Also read: Millions at risk: The crucial Google setting you need to check NOW to avoid a dangerous new phone scam
A win for privacy advocates
For privacy experts, the decision is seen as a major victory.
John Yanchunis, one of the lead attorneys, said: “We hope this result sends a message to the tech industry that Americans will not sit idly by as their information is collected and monetized against their will.”
Supporters believe the ruling signals a shift toward stronger accountability for technology companies.
Also read: Is your local news at risk? News outlet owner hit with $9.5M privacy settlement and new lawsuits
A wider trend of scrutiny
The case comes as part of a broader wave of legal and regulatory challenges against Google and other large tech firms.
Just one day before the verdict, a federal judge in Washington, DC ordered Google to share some of its search data with competitors in an antitrust case.
While the company avoided a forced breakup, the ruling underscored growing concerns about its market power and influence.
Also read: FBI warns: Over 1 million Android devices may be infected with sneaky new malware—what you need to know
What you can do to protect your data
This case highlights how vulnerable user information can be, even with privacy settings in place.
While industry-wide reforms may take time, individuals can take immediate steps to limit exposure:
- Review your Google privacy settings regularly to confirm they reflect your preferences.
- Use private or incognito browsing modes to reduce the data stored during web sessions.
- Explore alternative apps or search engines such as DuckDuckGo that focus on user privacy.
- Stay updated on privacy news to better understand how your data may be used.
This case may be just one chapter in the larger story of how technology and privacy collide, but it’s a reminder that even the most powerful companies can be challenged.
As courts and regulators continue to examine how data is collected and used, the outcome could reshape the digital landscape for years to come.
For now, the verdict against Google underscores a simple truth—our personal information matters, and protecting it is more important than ever.
Read next: A wave of tech issues could hit soon—are your devices on the list?
Privacy in the digital age continues to spark debate. Do you adjust your privacy settings, or do you leave them at default? Do you believe tech companies can be trusted to manage data responsibly, or should stronger regulations be put in place?
Sharing your experiences and opinions helps keep the conversation alive!
