Google and LG Electronics Settle Lawsuits Over Unauthorized Data Collection

May 12, 2026, 02:35
USTechnology

Introduction

Two major technology companies, Google and LG Electronics, have reached legal agreements to settle disputes regarding the unauthorized collection of user data from mobile phones and televisions.

Main Body

The legal case against Google LLC focuses on claims that Android devices sent various types of data without the users' permission, which also used up their cellular data. Following a previous $314 million settlement in California, Google has now agreed to a preliminary $135 million fund for affected users. To be eligible, people must be US residents who used Android devices with cellular plans between November 12, 2017, and the final approval date. Furthermore, Google has updated its Play Store terms of service to be clearer about data transfers and promised to stop collecting data when users turn off 'background data usage'. At the same time, LG Electronics USA Inc. has settled a lawsuit started by the Texas Attorney General. This case involved the use of automated content recognition (ACR) technology to collect data on what people were watching on their TVs. As a result, LG must now use clear consent forms and pop-up notifications to explain how data is used. Additionally, the agreement strictly forbids LG from sharing this data with the Chinese Communist Party. This is part of a larger effort by Texas authorities, who have also reached a deal with Samsung, while cases against Sony, TCL, and Hisense are still ongoing.

Conclusion

Both companies have settled these cases without admitting they did anything wrong. However, they are implementing new transparency and consent rules to avoid further legal problems in the future.

Learning

๐Ÿ’ก The 'B2 Leap': Mastering Logical Connectors

At the A2 level, you likely use simple words like and, but, and because. To reach B2, you must start using transition words that show a professional relationship between ideas.

Look at these shifts from the text:

1. Moving beyond 'Also' โ†’\rightarrow Furthermore / Additionally Instead of just adding information, these words signal that you are building a formal argument.

  • A2 style: Google paid money and it also updated the rules.
  • B2 style: Google agreed to a fund; furthermore, it updated its terms of service.

2. Moving beyond 'So' โ†’\rightarrow As a result When you want to show a consequence in a business or legal context, as a result sounds more authoritative.

  • A2 style: LG collected data, so they must now use consent forms.
  • B2 style: LG used ACR technology to collect data. As a result, LG must now use clear consent forms.

3. The Contrast Pivot โ†’\rightarrow However While but is for short sentences, however is used to introduce a surprising contradiction after a full stop.

  • A2 style: They paid money but they didn't say they were wrong.
  • B2 style: Both companies settled these cases. However, they did so without admitting fault.

Quick Vocabulary Upgrade To sound more like a B2 speaker, replace these 'basic' verbs from the text with their 'advanced' counterparts:

A2 WordB2 Upgrade (from text)Context
StopForbidTo officially tell someone they cannot do something.
StartImplementTo put a new rule or system into action.
FinishSettleTo reach an agreement to end a legal fight.

Vocabulary Learning

settle
reach an agreement to end a dispute
Example:They settled the lawsuit out of court.
lawsuit
a legal case brought to a court
Example:The company faced a lawsuit over data misuse.
unauthorized
not permitted or approved
Example:The app accessed files without unauthorized permission.
collection
the act of gathering information
Example:The collection of user data raised privacy concerns.
automated
performed by machines without human intervention
Example:The system uses automated content recognition.
consent
permission given voluntarily
Example:Users must give consent before data is shared.
transparency
openness and clarity about actions
Example:The company promised greater transparency in its policies.
implementing
putting into effect
Example:They are implementing new transparency rules.
avoid
prevent or stay away from
Example:The policy helps avoid future legal problems.
background data usage
data usage that occurs while an app runs in the background
Example:You can turn off background data usage in your phone settings.
pop-up
a small window that appears on screen
Example:The pop-up notification asked for your permission.
Chinese Communist Party
the ruling political party of China
Example:The data was not shared with the Chinese Communist Party.
ongoing
continuing or still happening
Example:The investigations are ongoing.
admitting
acknowledging or confessing
Example:They did not admit admitting wrongdoing.