Update: Distribution of Settlement awards to Class Members who submitted valid claims in accordance to the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement began on July 7, 2023. Please allow 14 days for delivery of your paper check (if payment method selected). If you have any questions or issues, please email info@GoogleBIPASettlement.com.
Settlement Information
A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Google LLC (“Defendant” or “Google”). The lawsuit alleges that Google violated Illinois law by collecting and storing biometric data of individuals who, while residing in Illinois, appeared in a photograph in the photograph sharing and storage service known as Google Photos (“Google Photos”), without proper notice and consent.
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.
Who Is a Class Member?
You are a Class Member in this Settlement if, at any time between May 1, 2015 and April 25, 2022, you appeared in a photograph in Google Photos while you were an Illinois resident.
Important Dates
September 28, 2022
On September 28, 2022 the Court entered a Final Order and Judgment approving the Settlement, awarding Attorney’s Fees and Expenses, and Service Payments
June 7, 2023
Deadline for the Settlement Administrator to commence disbursements of funds to Class Members who submitted valid claims in accordance to the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement..
Your Legal Rights and Options
For more detailed information please review the Class Notice (Long Form), which is also available on the Court Documents page of this website.
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Submit a Claim FormDeadline passed |
The only way to get a payment is if you submit a Claim Form. If you submit a Claim Form, you will give up the right to sue Google or any Released Parties in a separate lawsuit about the claims released by the Settlement, including the claims made in this case. You must submit a Claim Form by September 24, 2022. |
Exclude Yourself From This SettlementDeadline passed |
You may exclude yourself from (or “opt-out” of) the Settlement. If you do so, you will not receive any payment, but you will keep any rights to pursue your own lawsuit against Google or any of the Released Parties (defined in the Class Notice (Long Form)) for the claims made in this case and released by this Settlement. To exclude yourself, you must submit an exclusion request online or by mail, postmarked by August 10, 2022. |
Object To Or Comment on the SettlementDeadline passed |
You may object to the Settlement by: (i) filing an objection with the Clerk of Court; (ii) filing all copies of papers in support of said objection that you propose to submit at the Final Approval Hearing with the Clerk of Court; and (iii) sending copies of such papers via United States mail, hand delivery, or overnight delivery to Class Counsel and Defendant’s Counsel. A copy of the objection must also be mailed to the Settlement Administrator. If you object to the Settlement and the Settlement is nonetheless approved, you will give up the right to sue Google or any Released Parties in a separate lawsuit about the claims made in this case and released by the Settlement. If you choose to object, you must do so by August 10, 2022. |
Go to the “Final Approval” HearingSeptember 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. |
You may attend the Final Approval Hearing where the Court may hear arguments concerning the approval of the Settlement. This hearing may be held remotely at the Court’s discretion. If you wish to speak at the Final Approval Hearing, you must make a request to do so in your written objection and identify any witnesses you may call to testify at the Final Approval Hearing, as well as all exhibits you intend to introduce into evidence at the Final Approval Hearing, which must also be attached to, or included with, the written objection. You are not required to attend the Final Approval Hearing. Pursuant to the Court’s Preliminary Approval Order, the final hearing will be conducted via the Court’s Zoom link https://circuitcourtofcookcounty.zoom.us/j/95535573920; Meeting ID: 955 3557 3920. No password is required. |
Do Nothingno deadline |
You will not receive a payment, and you will give up the right to sue Google or any Released Parties in a separate lawsuit about the claims made in this case and released by the Settlement |
These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are further explained in more detail in the Class Notice (Long Form) and on the Frequently Asked Questions page of this website.
Dates and Deadlines
Claims Deadline
September 24, 2022
Exclusion Deadline
August 10, 2022
Objection Deadline
August 10, 2022
Final Approval Hearing
Sept. 28, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates, deadlines, hearing and time and place above may be changed without further notice to the Settlement Class, so please check this Settlement Website, or with the Court.