Google has agreed to a $23 million settlement after the tech giant shared searches with third-party websites and companies without express user authorization or clear user agreements. That may sound like a lot of money, but it’s a drop in the bucket, considering that $23M is about 0.0082% of the $280 billion the company generates annually, much of which is driven by advertising. According to the Notice of Proposed Settlement of the Class Action Lawsuit, Google agreed to the payment; However, it is denying allegations that it shared information and says the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing.
What is Google accused of doing in the lead of this settlement?
The entire premise of the class action lawsuit is that Google compromised the privacy of people who used Google to search for information, according to the suit, by “storing and intentionally, systematically and repeatedly disclosing” their search queries and histories to third parties without any trace. Prior consent is given.
The lawsuit claims that Google search queries often include sensitive and personally identifiable data, such as users’ real names, residential addresses, contact numbers, credit card details, social security numbers, financial account numbers and other information that significantly increases the likelihood of identification. Steal.
As part of the settlement, Google agreed to revise its “FAQs” and “Key Terms” webpages regarding the disclosure of search queries via referrer titles with third parties. This disclosure is important because it helps Google users understand how their search queries may be shared when they click on search results and navigate to other websites.
Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. (Photographer: Marlena Sloss/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What are settlement benefits?
Under Google’s settlement agreement, settlement class members may receive equal shares of the net settlement fund. The amount each settlement class member is expected to receive isn’t much — about $7.70. However, this number is only an estimate and may be higher or lower depending on how many settlement class members file claims.
Am I eligible to file a claim?
How to add your favorite websites. Your device’s home screen
The $23 million settlement will benefit any Google search users who clicked on a search result in the United States between October 26, 2006 and September 30, 2013. This category, is why the $7.70 per person amount is only an estimate and not a guaranteed income for anyone.
How do I file a claim, and when?
If you think you owe money from Google, you can file a claim by going to the settlement website and fill the required online form or print out and fill a form and mail it to:
Settlement Administrator
Google Referrer Header Privacy Settlement
c/o Krol Settlement Administration
PO Box 225391
New York, NY, 10150-5391
The Google logo is pictured at the Google India office building in Hyderabad on January 28, 2022. (Photo by Noah Sillam/AFP Getty Images)
Claims must be submitted online or postmarked by 11:59 pm Pacific Time 31 July. Google has scheduled a final approval hearing for the settlement October 12, 2023.
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What if I want to avoid the hassle of filing a claim?
6 EFFECTIVE WAYS TO STOP GOOGLE FROM KNOWING EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU
If you want to avoid the hassle of filing a claim, there are alternatives for you. These options include choosing to take no action, opt out Settle in full or raise an objection if you believe the settlement should not be approved.
Also the time limit for objection or exclusion from the settlement31 July.
Remember, if you submit such a claim, it is under penalty of perjury. If you are not sure whether you are eligible to receive money from this settlement, you should first visit the FAQ page on the Settlement Administrator’s website.
If you want to avoid the hassle of filing a claim, there are alternatives for you. (Croll)
Kurt’s main takeaway
It’s a shame that Google is sharing personal information with third parties, but it’s not a surprise, which is why it seems right to me to refund their users. As you might imagine, last year, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, Agreed to pay $725 million to settle A similar class action lawsuit related to the mishandling of user data. Don’t miss your chance to hold Google accountable. Make sure you file your claim before the end of July so you can get the money you’re owed.
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