San jose: A jury in San Jose, California, said on Tuesday that Google misused customers’ cell phone data and must pay more than $314.6 million to Android smartphone users in the state, according to an attorney for the plaintiffs. The verdict comes as a significant financial blow to the tech giant, highlighting ongoing concerns about data privacy and user consent in the digital age.
According to Radio Television Brunei, the jury agreed with the plaintiffs that Alphabet’s Google was liable for sending and receiving information from the devices without permission while they were idle. This activity was described in the lawsuit as “mandatory and unavoidable burdens shouldered by Android device users for Google’s benefit.” The decision underscores the importance of transparent data practices and the potential repercussions for companies that fail to adhere to privacy standards.