Google takes a risk in class action trial over cell phone data use
Google is currently in the midst of battling an $800 million class-action lawsuit in California over allegations that the tech giant has misused the cellular data of Android users. Approximately 14 million Californians are claiming that Google has been illicitly sending data over cellular networks, even when their devices are not in use, resulting in the depletion of their purchased data allowances. Google, on the other hand, is standing firm in its defense of these practices, classifying them as standard procedures that benefit users.
Typically, class actions like this one rarely make it to trial. However, Google has decided to take its chances and defend itself before a jury in Santa Clara County, where the lawsuit was filed. The trial, which began with the selection of eight women and four men as jurors, is predicted to last three to four weeks, with opening statements presented on Wednesday. In the eyes of many, this case sets a precedent as a significant outlier in the courtroom.
Although the $800 million lawsuit is massive in itself, this class represented by Android users in California is only the beginning. The legal team handling this case is comprised of attorneys from Korein Tillery, Bartlit Beck, and McManis Faulkner who are also working on a separate federal case in San Jose involving Android users from the rest of the country. This second case alleges billions of dollars in damages, indicating even higher stakes if the outcome is unfavorable for Google.
This battle over cellular data raises critical questions about user privacy and the relationship between tech companies and their customers. The plaintiffs assert that Google’s actions violate their rights by depleting their data allowances without consent, regardless of whether their devices are actively in use. Google counters these claims by emphasizing that users have explicitly agreed to such data usage in the terms of service, thereby implying consent.
As this legal saga unfolds, both parties are gearing up for a fierce courtroom battle that could set significant precedents for future cases involving tech giants and user data. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for how companies like Google handle and utilize customer data in the future. Whether Google will emerge victorious, forcing Android users to rethink their relationship with the conglomerate, or if this lawsuit will signal a shift towards greater accountability and transparency in the tech industry remains to be seen.