Google Lawsuit Claim: Another Settlement Check For Illinois Residents Might Be On The Way

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If you missed the $397 settlement check from Facebook, here's your chance to see if you're eligible to receive a portion of the $100 million Google settlement.

According to Google's settlement site, if, between May 1, 2015, and April 25, 2022, you appeared in a photograph in Google Photos while you were an Illinois resident, you may be entitled to get a payment from a Class Action Settlement. Below are some questions you might have and how to file a claim.

What's this about?

Google Photos, just like Facebook, violated an Illinois law by gathering and storing information about individuals in Illinois that appeared on Google Photos between May 1, 2015, and April 25, 2022, as mentioned above. Google didn't have permission or notify residents, so now they have to pay up!

Who is eligible to receive a check? How much?

Only Illinois residents who appeared in Google Photos between that time frame will receive a check. You're referred to in the settlement as a class member if you are eligible. The settlement site says,

Class Members who file valid claims will be eligible to receive a pro rata portion of the $100,000,000 Settlement Fund after deduction of Court approved fees, costs, and expenses. The actual cash amount that an individual will receive will depend on the number of valid claims and deductions for Court-approved notice and settlement administration expenses, attorneys’ fees, litigation costs and expenses, and service payments to the Class Representatives.

How do I know if I was in a Google photo during that time frame?

Great question! Google didn't classify how class members would know if they were in photos during that time. There might be a photo search option.

Well, how do I file a claim?

Visit this website: https://www.googlebipasettlement.com/; there's a 'submit a claim' green button right at the top.

The last day to file a claim is September 24, 2022. The hearing will be on September 28, 2022, at 10:30 am via zoom if you'd like to attend.