Google has reached a settlement, agreeing to pay a hefty sum of $135 million to resolve a class - action lawsuit initiated by smartphone users. These users had alleged that Google was illicitly gathering mobile phone data via the Android system, all without obtaining the necessary permissions. On Tuesday evening, Google filed a preliminary settlement agreement with its parent company Alphabet Inc. to the federal court located in San Jose, California. However, this agreement is not yet finalized as it still awaits the judge's official approval. Despite consenting to the settlement terms, Google has firmly denied any wrongdoing on its part. This settlement is specifically designed to benefit Android device users who have been using their devices since November 12, 2017. As a key component of the settlement, Google is set to overhaul its data collection policy. This will involve seeking user consent prior to transmitting any data during the phone setup process. Additionally, it will make it simpler for users to halt data transmission at will. Moreover, Google will enhance the transparency surrounding its data collection practices.