Google to Pay Millions in Israeli Privacy Settlements

Technology giant Google will pay a total of approximately 8.3 million shekels (about $2.2 million USD) as part of settlement agreements in two consolidated class-action lawsuits. The suits alleged unlawful collection of location data from users of Android and iOS operating systems. The Tel Aviv District Court, presided over by Judge Rachel Barkai, approved the settlements on Tuesday, concluding lengthy legal proceedings that spanned several years, according to a report in "Calcalist."

The core of the claims, originally filed in 2017 and 2022, was that Google continued to monitor and track users' locations for advertising and commercial purposes, even after users had explicitly turned off location services or the location history function on their devices.

The settlement amount, approximately 4 million shekels for each case, will be fully transferred to the Class Action Lawsuits Management Fund. This fund will be dedicated to promoting and advancing privacy protection in Israel. Beyond the financial compensation, which is for settlement purposes only and does not constitute an admission of liability by Google, the agreement includes several non-monetary remedies.

Google has committed to increasing transparency with users by sending dedicated emails, displaying banners, and providing links with detailed information on data collection methods. Some of these measures have already been implemented in Israel and the United States. The plaintiffs were represented by attorneys Amit Manor and Elran Shapira Bar-Or. Google Israel confirmed the details, stating, "We have reached a settlement in these cases, which relate to features that are no longer relevant."