Google privacy lawsuit verdict and appeal
Google appealed a $425.7 million verdict in the *Rodriguez v. Google LLC* privacy lawsuit on June 16, 2026, after a judge denied its request to overturn the award for violating user privacy by collecting data after users disabled the "Web & App Activity" setting. As of June 18, 2026, a federal judge rejected a bid for over $2 billion in penalties against Google concerning data collection practices, upholding a previous jury's verdict. Separately, a $68 million settlement for Google Assistant's alleged improper collection of user communications is nearing final approval, with a hearing scheduled for October 1, 2026. A U.S. District Court judge also denied Google's motion to dismiss key claims under the Wiretap Act and California's CDAFA in a class action lawsuit on June 9, 2026. Additionally, a federal judge approved a class-action settlement on May 21, 2026, in the In re: Google RTB Consumer Privacy Litigation, introducing a 'RTB Control' feature for millions of Google account holders.
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June 2026 — 4 developments
Google Loses $2 Billion Penalty Bid, Assistant Privacy Settlement Nears Approval
A federal judge rejected a bid for over $2 billion in penalties against Google concerning data collection practices, upholding a jury's previous verdict. Separately, a $68 million settlement for Google Assistant's alleged improper collection of user communications is nearing final approval. A hearing is scheduled for October 1, 2026.
Google appeals $425.7 million verdict in user data privacy lawsuit
Google has appealed a $425.7 million verdict in the *Rodriguez v. Google LLC* privacy lawsuit. The verdict found the company violated users' privacy by continuing to collect data after users disabled the "Web & App Activity" setting. The appeal follows a judge's denial of Google's request to overturn the original award.
Judge Allows Key Claims to Proceed in Google Data Collection Lawsuit
A U.S. District Court judge has denied Google's motion to dismiss key claims in a class action lawsuit alleging the company collected users' personal data without proper consent. This ruling allows claims under the Wiretap Act and California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (CDAFA) to proceed.
Google faces differing outcomes in privacy lawsuits, one settlement rejected, another approved
A federal judge rejected a $2.36 billion privacy settlement in one Google class action case, while a separate class action concerning Google's sale of user data in ad auctions received final approval in March 2026. These differing outcomes highlight the complex legal landscape surrounding Google's privacy practices.
May 2026 — 3 developments
Google Engineer Arrested for Insider Trading Using Search Data
A Google security engineer, Michele Spagnuolo, has been arrested and charged with insider trading for allegedly using confidential Google data to predict search trends and profit on the Polymarket platform. Spagnuolo reportedly made $1.2 million by predicting singer D4vd would be the most-searched person in 2025, using non-public information about Google user searches.
Google Agrees to $135 Million Settlement in Android Data Transfer Privacy Lawsuit
Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit alleging the transfer of Android users' data without permission. Preliminary court approval was granted in January 2026, with a final approval hearing set for June 23, 2026. The lawsuit accused Google of programming Android devices to constantly transmit user information in real-time, even when users attempted to limit data collection.
Google lawsuit settled with new user data controls approved May 21, 2026
A federal judge approved a class-action settlement on May 21, 2026, in the In re: Google RTB Consumer Privacy Litigation. The settlement introduces a 'RTB Control' feature for millions of Google account holders to limit personal information sharing in real-time bidding ad auctions. Google also agreed to enhanced disclosures about RTB auctions and user privacy choices.
April 2026 — 2 developments
Google lawsuit over data collection without consent to proceed
A data privacy lawsuit against Google, initiated in 2020, is proceeding after a San Francisco judge ruled that the company may have collected user data without explicit consent. Chief Judge Richard Seeborg stated it was unclear from a reasonable user's perspective whether consent was given for the data collection, as the lawsuit alleges Google continued to gather data from mobile devices even after users turned off the "App and Activity" setting.
Federal Judge Denies $2 Billion Penalty Against Google in Data Collection Case
A federal judge in San Francisco denied a consumer request for over $2 billion in penalties against Google, sought due to the company's past data collection practices. Google plans to appeal a September 2025 jury verdict that found them liable for secretly collecting app activity data.
February 2026 — 2 developments
Federal Judge Rejects $2.36 Billion Google Privacy Penalty
A federal judge in San Francisco has rejected a proposed $2.36 billion penalty in a major U.S. privacy class action lawsuit against Google. The case concerns Google's data collection practices. This ruling indicates ongoing judicial scrutiny of tech companies' privacy policies.
Federal Judge Rejects Google's Request to Vacate $425 Million Privacy Verdict
A federal judge has rejected Google's request to vacate a jury verdict that requires the company to pay $425 million for allegedly violating mobile users' privacy. This ruling upholds the jury's decision in a class-action lawsuit filed by smartphone users.
January 2026 — 4 developments
Federal Judge Denies $2.36 Billion Disgorgement Against Google, Upholds $425 Million Jury Award
A federal judge denied the request for a $2.36 billion disgorgement and injunction against Google but also rejected Google's motion to decertify the class, confirming that a $425 million jury award stands.
Google to pay $68 million to settle Google Assistant spying lawsuit
Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging its Google Assistant spied on smartphone users, with a preliminary settlement filed in federal court requiring approval.
Federal Judge Skeptical of Post-Trial Motions in Google Case
A federal judge in San Francisco expressed skepticism regarding post-trial motions, including the plaintiffs' request for a permanent injunction and disgorgement of $2.36 billion in Google's profits, and Google's motion to decertify the class.
Google settles AdMob child data collection lawsuit for $8.25 million
Google agreed to an $8.25 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging it illegally collected data from children under 13 through its AdMob software development kit. This settlement addresses claims of children's privacy violations.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Google urges judge to overturn $425 million privacy verdict, citing class-action dispute
Google is urging a federal judge in San Francisco to overturn the jury's $425 million privacy verdict, arguing the lawsuit should not have proceeded as a class-action.
September 2025 — 2 developments
Federal Jury Orders Google to Pay $425.7 Million for Improperly Tracking Smartphone Activity
A federal jury has ordered Google to pay $425.7 million for improperly tracking smartphone activity over a nearly decade-long period. This verdict in a class-action case covers approximately 98 million smartphones in the U.S. between July 2016 and September 2, 2025.
Google found liable for privacy violations, ordered to pay $425 million in damages
A federal jury in California found Google liable for violating the privacy of over 100 million users by collecting their data even after they opted out of app activity tracking, awarding $425 million in compensatory damages.
August 2025 — 1 developments
Rodriguez v. Google LLC Class Action Lawsuit Trial Commenced
The trial for the Rodriguez v. Google LLC class action lawsuit commenced.
January 2025 — 1 developments
Federal Judge Denies Google's Motion to Dismiss Data Privacy Lawsuit, Sets August Jury Trial
A federal judge denied Google's attempt to dismiss a data privacy lawsuit, ruling that the company's data collection practices could be considered 'highly offensive' and setting a jury trial for August.
September 2024 — 1 developments
Google's alleged data collection period concluded
The alleged period of Google's data collection, as outlined in the lawsuit, concluded.
January 2024 — 1 developments
Google agrees to settle Incognito tracking lawsuit, terms confidential
Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging it secretly tracked users in Incognito mode, with the terms of the settlement remaining confidential and awaiting judicial approval. This lawsuit had sought at least $5 billion in damages.
July 2016 — 1 developments
Google began allegedly collecting user data despite privacy settings being off
The period during which Google allegedly collected user data, despite 'Web & App Activity' and 'supplemental Web & App Activity' settings being turned off, began.