Google+ Data Breach Settlement Website Is Live: Here’s How to File a Claim

Did you receive an email from “google-noreply@google.com” with the subject line “Notice of Class Action Settlement re Google Plus  - Your Rights May Be Affected”? If so, you may be eligible for a piece of the $7.5 million Google+ data breach settlement.

And yes, the email is legitimate (they likely found you via Google’s internal records). 

Read on for more information on how to file a claim, important deadlines you’ll need to know about and who you can contact if you still have questions.

Where do I go to file a claim? 

Claims can be submitted here:

https://www.googleplusdatalitigation.com/submit-claim.php

Depending on the number of submissions, those who file valid claims may receive a cash payment of up to $12, distributed via digital check or PayPal. The initial maximum award for claimants, however, will be $5 each. Any funds not claimed by Google+ social media users will be donated to charity as a cy pres award.

Who can file a claim?

Consumers who had a Google+ account for any period of time between January 1, 2015 and April 2, 2019 and had their non-public profile information exposed as a result of the software bugs Google announced on October 8, 2018 and December 10, 2018 may be eligible to file a claim.

Is this website legit?

Yes. The court has designated the website – GooglePlusDataLitigation.com – as the official resource for the settlement and where consumers will need to go to file their claims.

When do I have to file by?

The deadline to submit a claim, opt out or object to the settlement is October 8, 2020. A final fairness hearing is tentatively scheduled for November 19.

If you do nothing, you will not receive any payment from the settlement.

If you’re not crazy about the settlement and would like to submit a formal objection to the deal, you can do so here.

What was this class action about?

In 2018, Google revealed that the Google+ social media platform, which existed from June 2011 to April 2019, experienced software bugs between 2015 and 2018 that allowed app developers to access certain Google+ profile field information in “an unintended manner.” A proposed class action lawsuit was subsequently filed, just days after the company announced its intention to shut down Google+.

According to the emailed settlement notice, Google “denies Plaintiffs’ allegations, denies any wrongdoing and any liability whatsoever, and believes that no Class Members, including the Plaintiffs, have sustained any damages or injuries due to the software bugs.” 

The settlement received preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila on June 10, 2020.

Where can I get more information?

If you have specific questions about your claim, the settlement administrator can be reached at 1-833-509-1101 or by email at Info@GooglePlusDataLitigation.com. Frequently asked questions can be found here.