San Francisco: In a major development highlighting growing concerns over digital privacy, U.S. consumers have urged a federal court to compel Google to disgorge an additional $2.36 billion in profits following a recent jury verdict in a class action lawsuit. The initial $425 million award last month was deemed insufficient by plaintiffs who argued that Google’s long-standing data collection practices caused ongoing and irreparable harm.
The lawsuit, originating in 2020, alleged that Google had covertly accessed users’ mobile devices over an eight-year period, gathering app activity data despite users having disabled tracking features under the Web & App Activity settings. The jury found Google liable on two of three privacy claims, describing the company’s actions as “highly offensive, harmful, and without consent.” Plaintiffs contend that the additional $2.36 billion is a conservative estimate of Google’s ill-gotten gains during this period.
Google has consistently denied wrongdoing, asserting that the data collected was anonymized and that its privacy controls allowed users to manage their information. The tech giant also indicated its intention to appeal the verdict. In a motion filed with Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco, Google requested the decertification of the class, which encompasses 98 million users and 174 million devices, arguing that individual app usage and expectations vary too widely for a class-wide resolution. The company further asked the court to vacate the jury’s verdict, citing a lack of common legal issues.
Legal experts note that the case underscores heightened scrutiny on how major technology companies handle user data. Should the court approve the disgorgement of profits, it would mark one of the largest financial consequences for a U.S. tech company over privacy violations, potentially reshaping accountability standards and corporate practices in data governance.
As the case unfolds, attention remains focused on whether Judge Seeborg will allow the requested additional damages and how Google may respond through appeals or adjustments to its privacy policies. The verdict serves as a significant milestone in the ongoing debate over consumer rights, corporate responsibility, and the limits of personal data usage in the digital age.