Google’s $23 million settlement: How to apply for compensation in the improper data sharing case
Google users are eligible to claim compensation money for a data breach by the search giant. This is how you can request it: Amounts and deadline
Millions of Google users are eligible for a compensation payment after a data breach by the mammoth search company based in California, United States.
The compensation, set at $23 million dollars, is the result of a class action lawsuit filed in 2013. Through it, Google was accused of violating users’ privacy by “storing and intentionally, systematically and repeatedly divulging” searches to other websites and companies.
Leaked information includes “real names, street addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers, social security numbers, financial account numbers and more,” which could increase the risk of identity theft. As well, “search queries can also include more sensitive information such as confidential medical information, racial or ethnic origins, political or religious beliefs or sexuality.”
The data breach occurred from October 2006 to September 2013, so if you were a browser user during that period, you may be eligible for payment.
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How you can claim money from Google in compensation for data breaches: Amounts and deadline
Google has denied the data leak; however, the company has already created a website to request the compensation money.
To request the compensation money, you must access the web page that Google has made available to users and fill out a registration form, on which you will be asked for your first and last name, as well as an address and email.
After which, you will be asked for information to corroborate that you carried out a search on Google during the period in question. Then, you will have to indicate the payment method for where the money will be deposited. The deadline to enter the application is July 31. However, the court has until October 12 to approve Google’s settlement, so the company stresses that any appeal could slow down payments.
Regarding the amount, it is not known exactly what basis the company will apply to determine an amount for users who file a claim; however, the claim website estimates that the average claim will be around $7.70 per person.