It’s no secret that Google has always found itself amidst lawsuits regarding its data privacy practices. However, in a major development, Google has reached a settlement of $23 million to resolve a long-standing lawsuit that accused the tech giant of sharing user search information with third-party websites without obtaining proper consent.
Files back in 2013, the lawsuit alleged that Google disclosed users’ search result queries to advertisers without permission, thus violating the Stored Communications Act. And although Google has not admitted any wrongdoing, the company has chosen to settle the lawsuit by paying the specified amount.
However, as part of the settlement, Google will update its frequently asked questions and “key terms” pages to provide clearer information about the sharing of search queries with third parties.
How to claim the settlement money?
If you are a U.S. citizen who used Google Search between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013, you can apply to receive a portion of the settlement. To submit a claim, visit the website refererheadersettlement.com and complete the Registration Form by providing the necessary information, including your full name, street address, and email address. After completion, you will receive a Class Member ID, which will enable you to proceed to the Submit Claim page.
Although the estimated payout is $7.70, the figure could vary depending on the number of applicants. Moreover, it is also important to note that the settlement agreement is pending court approval, and the distribution of payments may be delayed due to potential appeals, as stated in the claim administrator’s notice.
While the settlement provides an opportunity for affected users to receive compensation, it also highlights the broader concerns as it’s not an isolated incident, and other major tech companies have faced similar lawsuits related to user data privacy. Just last year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, agreed to pay $725 million to settle claims regarding its handling of user data.