Google Users Can Now Claim Their Share of $23 Million Privacy Settlement
Google users who clicked on any search result link between October 2006 and September 2013 are eligible to receive a payment as part of a $23 million privacy lawsuit settlement. The settlement aims to resolve a class action lawsuit that accused Google of repeatedly disclosing users’ search queries and histories to third-party websites and companies. To claim their share, users must submit a claim online by July 31, providing their name, address, email, and payment information.
According to the claim administrator website, the estimated individual payout is $7.70, although this amount may change depending on the number of claims submitted. A final hearing to approve the settlement is scheduled for October 12, and it is currently unclear when the payments will be distributed.
Google, while denying any wrongdoing, is also obligated to revise its FAQs and Key Terms sections regarding the disclosure of search queries to third parties. This settlement comes as technology giants face increased scrutiny regarding privacy concerns.
Other major companies have also faced privacy-related legal actions. Meta (the parent company of Facebook) recently agreed to pay $725 million to settle a class action privacy lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook allowed political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, linked to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, to access millions of users’ personal information. The deadline for claiming a share of that settlement is August 25.
As users are advised to submit their claims before the deadlines, these privacy settlements aim to provide compensation to affected individuals and encourage companies to prioritize user privacy and data protection.
