Alphabet, the parent company of Google, has a staggering worth of $1.6 trillion. Recently, a class action lawsuit against Google has been settled, and now you have the opportunity to claim a small portion of Google’s money. This compensation is not without reason, as Google has allegedly mishandled your data and privacy.
In the recent class action settlement, Google agreed to pay $23 million. The lawsuit claimed that the search engine giant violated user privacy by sharing customer data with third-party companies without obtaining the users’ consent. Specifically, it was alleged that Google included your search terms in the request link that is generated when you click on a URL in a Google search, thereby revealing your search terms to the websites you visit. This information is contained in what is known as a “referrer header,” hence the name of the settlement.
Chances are, you qualify for this settlement. If you are a Google Search user who clicked on at least one search result between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013, you are entitled to compensation. Given the prevalence of Google Search users in the internet age, this likely applies to almost everyone reading this article. Unless you insist that you don’t qualify, it is highly likely that you have a small amount of money coming your way—unless, of course, you are a dedicated Yahoo user.
However, it’s important to note that the compensation amount is not substantial. Although Google agreed to pay $23 million in total, this assumes that a large number of individuals will be eligible for compensation. As a result, the current estimated payout per person stands at $7.70. The actual payout will depend on the number of people who file a claim in the settlement. If the number of claimants is lower than expected, the payout per person could increase. Conversely, if more people file claims, the payout per person could be less.
How to submit a claim for the Google settlement
- If you have not been contacted regarding the settlement, you need to register with the Kroll Settlement Administration. You can find the registration form at this link, where you will provide your personal information such as name, address, and email address.
- After registering, you may not receive an immediate response. However, once you receive a response, you will be assigned a Class Member ID. Keep this number handy as you file your claim.
- When filing your claim, make sure to use the Class Member ID assigned to you. This will help ensure that your claim is properly processed.
It is important to note that you should only file a claim if you actually clicked on a Google search result during the specified nearly seven-year timeframe. While there are no specific questions about your Google usage during the filing process, you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. Therefore, if you have exclusively used other search engines since 2006, it is advised not to file a claim.
Another important point to consider is that by filing a claim, you are relinquishing your right to sue Google in the future for this particular privacy breach. If you have no intention of suing Google, then it is generally safe to proceed with filing a claim. However, it is worth considering whether keeping the option to sue in the future may be more valuable to you than the estimated $7.70 payout.