Hello, all you tech-savvy folks out there! We've got some news that might just make you say, “Well, I'll be Googled!” There's been a significant development in the tech world, and it involves our favorite search engine, Google.
Google Reaches $23 Million Settlement in Class Action Lawsuit
Here's the scoop: Google has agreed to a settlement of a whopping $23 million, but no, it's not because they've suddenly decided to fund our dream of building a tech utopia. This settlement is to resolve a class action lawsuit known as “In re: Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation.”
Important Dates:
Exclusion Deadline: Make sure to complete and mail your request for exclusion by Monday, July 31, 2023. Your request must be postmarked no later than this date.
Objection Deadline: If you have any objections or if you intend to appear at the Final Approval Hearing, mail your objection(s) and/or notice of intent to appear by Monday, July 31, 2023. Ensure that it/they are postmarked no later than this date.
Claim Form Deadline: To participate in the settlement, submit your Claim Form online or mail your completed paper Claim Form by Monday, July 31, 2023. It must be postmarked no later than this date.
Final Approval Hearing: Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 12, 2023, as the Final Approval Hearing. It is scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. PDT. Keep an eye on this website for any updates regarding the hearing.
Privacy Concerns: Google Accused of Sharing Users' Search Queries without Consent
Now, hold onto your hats, because this one's a doozy. Google was accused of sharing users' search queries with third-party websites and companies without our consent. Can you imagine? Your innocent searches for “cat videos” or “how to bake the perfect apple pie” might have been broadcast to complete strangers! According to the lawsuit, Google did this without getting user consent, leading plaintiffs to claim their information was wrongfully compromised.
Settlement Eligibility and Claim Process
Even though Google hasn't admitted any wrongdoing, they've agreed to this $23 million settlement to resolve the search privacy class action lawsuit. And the best part? You might be entitled to a piece of this pie.
If you were a Google Search user who clicked on a search result in the United States between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013, you might be eligible to get a share of this settlement. Each eligible person is estimated to receive around $7.70, although the actual amount might be higher or lower depending on the number of folks who decide to claim their share.
To get in on this, you'll need to submit a valid claim form by July 31, 2023. And no, you don't need to show any proof of purchase or anything like that. Just head over to RefererHeaderSettlement.com and follow the instructions to file your claim.
Now, before we start planning how to spend our potential windfall, remember that the final approval hearing for the Google settlement is scheduled for October 12, 2023. So, keep an eye out for more updates as we approach that date.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! A bit of internet history, a dash of legal drama, and a sprinkle of potential pocket change for us regular Joes and Janes. Now, don't just stand there – go stake your claim!
Remember, every penny counts – especially if it's coming from the tech giant that is Google!
