Google is once again in the spotlight for its digital privacy practices., after an unprecedented ruling was upheld requiring it to pay more than $314 million. The court decision responds to a class-action lawsuit filed by millions of Android users in California, who accused the multinational of collecting personal data without their knowledge or express consent. This verdict undoubtedly marks a turning point in the protection of digital rights in the United States.
The sanction comes after a long legal battle that began in 2019 and that, six years later, culminates with the conviction of Google for extracting information from phones even when they were inactive or under the so-called incognito modeFurthermore, data collection was carried out in the background and, according to those affected, at the expense of the users' data plans, which represented a double threat: an invasion of privacy and an additional cost to their phone bills.
Practices under scrutiny: mass data collection without warning
According to the court ruling, Google stored and processed millions of people's personal information in the background., even when Android devices were idle or users were browsing in "incognito mode" on their browsers. This activity, according to the lawsuit, occurred without clear and explicit authorization from those affected, who claim that the company commercially benefited from the collected data to improve its personalized advertising system.
During the trial, technical evidence was presented demonstrating how Android phones continued to send data to Google servers without user interaction. Among the information collected were browsing patterns, geographic location and consumption habits.All of this allowed the technology company to build precise profiles of each user to fine-tune its marketing strategy. Despite the allegations, Google maintained that its actions were covered by the terms of service agreed to by customers and that no one had suffered any real harm.
The jury, however, rejected that defense. After analyzing the evidence presented, it found that the victims had not been adequately informed and had no control over the collection and use of their personal data. Thus, the California state court ruled that the company must pay millions in damages, calling the case one of the most significant in recent history regarding digital privacy protection.
Repercussions and future: Google will appeal the ruling as lawsuits mount
After the ruling was announced, Google's spokesperson stated the company's intention to appeal the verdict, arguing that the decision misinterprets essential features for the security and performance of Android devicesFor his part, Glen Summers, the plaintiffs' attorney, emphasized that the ruling highlights the importance of respecting privacy and lays the groundwork for other jurisdictions to initiate similar litigation.
The impact of this ruling doesn't end there. Around 14 million people in the state of California will be eligible for compensation, although how the compensation will be distributed remains to be determined. Furthermore, a new lawsuit has already been filed in federal court on behalf of Android users in other US states, which could increase the pressure on Google in the short and medium term.
Legal experts and data protection agencies are closely monitoring the case., given the significance it could have not only for Google, but for the entire technology industry in terms of the management of its customers' personal information.
The events highlight how the treatment of privacy and the handling of personal data remains a sensitive issue, closely monitored by both users and regulatory authorities. This case sets an important precedent for the limits that large platforms must respect to guarantee their users' digital rights and opens the door to new lawsuits that could change the landscape of the digital economy in the coming years.
