What Happened: A Jury Verdict Over Privacy Violations
In September 2025, a U.S. federal jury in California found Alphabet’s Google liable in a class action privacy lawsuit, ruling that the company continued collecting user data even after users turned off the relevant tracking setting in their Google Accounts. The jury ordered Google to pay about $425 million in damages in the case, which covered roughly 98 million affected users.
The lawsuit, Rodriguez v. Google LLC, was originally filed in July 2020 and claimed that Google continued to collect data through third-party apps that use Google’s analytics tools, even when users believed their “Web & App Activity” setting prevented such collection.
What the Plaintiffs Said
The plaintiffs argued that Google misled users by suggesting that disabling the “Web & App Activity” setting would stop data tracking, when in reality the company still collected activity data via integrations such as Firebase analytics embedded in many apps.
At trial, jurors agreed that Google's conduct violated privacy promises and awarded damages accordingly. The $425 million figure reflects jury-decided liability on two counts of privacy violations, though it stops short of punitive damages.
Google’s Response and Appeal
Google has denied wrongdoing and stated that its products and privacy tools are transparent and give users control over their data. A company spokesperson said that the verdict “misunderstands how our products work” and asserted that data collection in question was non-personal and anonymised.
Google has moved to appeal the decision, meaning the final outcome — including whether payments will be distributed — could change depending on higher court rulings.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
Because the lawsuit is a class action, it potentially impacts millions of users in the United States who used Google accounts between 2016 and 2024 and disabled tracking features but still had data collected through third-party analytics code.
Beyond the $425 million verdict, plaintiffs have asked a federal judge to require Google to disgorge an estimated $2.36 billion in profits they argue it made from the allegedly improper data collection.
The outcome of the appeal and potential changes to the verdict or payout amount will be key developments to watch in 2026.
Why It Matters for Everyday Users
This case highlights ongoing privacy concerns in the digital era:
- Turning off a tracking setting does not always stop all data collection.
- Large tech companies can integrate analytics tools deeply across apps, making it hard for users to fully opt out.
- Legal decisions like this may lead companies to clarify privacy policies, though appeals can delay enforcement.
Staying aware of how your data is used — and how privacy settings actually work — is crucial in today’s connected world.
Privacy, Awareness, and Staying Connected
The $425 million lawsuit against Google is a reminder that digital privacy remains a critical issue, even with companies that billions rely on every day. As legal battles continue and appeals move forward, users are increasingly encouraged to stay informed about how their data is collected, stored, and used.
At the same time, modern life still depends on being connected — whether for work, travel, communication, or accessing essential services. Managing that connectivity in a flexible and secure way is key.
That’s where KXZ Store comes in. KXZ Store provides a wide range of digital top-ups and gift cards for global services, helping users stay connected, manage digital expenses, and prepare for online needs without hassle. Whether you’re traveling, gifting, or simply staying online, KXZ Store offers convenient digital solutions in an increasingly connected world.
Staying informed and staying connected don’t have to be opposites — with the right tools, you can do both.