Home
News
You are here

Many Google Search users are owed $23 million - here's how to claim your share

2comments

By Anam Hamid

Updated: Jun 15, 2023, 7:13 PM

Google

Google has been accused of sharing user search information with third-party websites without consent and has agreed to pay $23 million to settle the claim. You are entitled to a small chunk of that if you are an American national and remember using Google Search between October 26 2006 and September 30 2013.

The lawsuit was filed by customers who said the search giant shared their search queries with advertisers and other third parties without their permission. They claimed that the search terms may have revealed their personal information. This practice violates the Stored Communications Act which protects the privacy of user content and records held by service providers.

Google responded by saying that the claim that consumer privacy was invaded was invalid if searches weren't linked to their identity.

Although the company denies any wrongdoing, it has agreed to pay $23 million to settle the 12-year lawsuit. The company will also update its frequently asked questions (FAQs) and key terms pages to explain more about it search terms sharing practices.

If you remember using Google's search engine and clicking on a search result during the aforementioned dates, you can apply for your cut of the settlement.

The company decided to settle the lawsuit in January but it's only now that instructions regarding how eligible customers can apply for their cut have been revealed.

How do I apply?

You must submit a claim by July 31 by visiting the website refererheadersettlement.com. Click on the Registration Form page and then enter the required information. You will then receive your Class Member ID, after which you can proceed to the Submit Claim page.

It's estimated that the payout will be $7.70 per person and the amount could go up or down depending on the number of people who apply.

The final approval hearing for the case will take place on October 12.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

Read the latest from Anam Hamid