Google insider trading allegations

Developing StoryLast updated JUN 9
SUMMARY

Google security engineer Michele Spagnuolo was arrested and charged with insider trading on May 29, 2026, for allegedly using confidential Google data to profit $1.2 million on Polymarket by predicting search trends. As of June 9, 2026, a U.S. District Court judge denied Google's motion to dismiss key claims in a class action lawsuit alleging the company collected users' personal data without proper consent, allowing Wiretap Act and CDAFA claims to proceed. This comes as Google faces multiple legal challenges regarding privacy, including a $135 million settlement for transferring Android users' data and a federal judge's approval on May 21, 2026, of a class-action settlement introducing an 'RTB Control' feature for ad auctions. Separately, a federal judge rejected a $2.36 billion privacy settlement on June 5, 2026, while upholding a $425 million jury award against Google for violating mobile users' privacy.

Timeline

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June 2026 — 2 developments

  1. A U.S. District Court judge has denied Google's motion to dismiss key claims in a class action lawsu…

    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.

  2. A federal judge rejected a $2.

    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

  1. A Google security engineer, Michele Spagnuolo, has been arrested and charged with insider trading fo…

    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.

  2. Google has agreed to a $135 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit alleging the transfer of Android users' data without permission.

    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.

  3. A federal judge approved a class-action settlement on May 21, 2026, in the In re: Google RTB Consumer Privacy Litigation.

    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

  1. 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.

    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.

  2. 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.

    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

  1. A federal judge in San Francisco has rejected a proposed $2.

    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.

  2. 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.

    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

  2. Google has agreed to pay $68 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging its Google Assistant …

    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.

  3. A federal judge in San Francisco expressed skepticism regarding post-trial motions, including the plaintiffs' request for a permanent injunction and disgorgement of $2.

    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.

December 2025 — 1 developments

  1. 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.

    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

  2. A federal jury in California found Google liable for violating the privacy of over 100 million users…

    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

January 2025 — 1 developments

September 2024 — 1 developments

January 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging it secretly tracked users in Incognito m…

    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

  1. The period during which Google allegedly collected user data, despite 'Web & App Activity' and 'supplemental Web & App Activity' settings being turned off, began.

    The period during which Google allegedly collected user data, despite 'Web & App Activity' and 'supplemental Web & App Activity' settings being turned off, began.