Opportunity for Compensation: U.S. Courts Notify Certain Users of a Class Action Lawsuit Against Google for Privacy Infringement

Starting this week, under the authorization of the U.S. federal courts, lawyers representing the class action lawsuit against Google for illegally accessing users' devices and data have begun emailing notifications to all affected Google users. Receiving this email means you are automatically included as a member of the class action and might have the opportunity to receive compensation from Google in the future.

The lawsuit stems from Google's illegal data collection practices:
Even when users turned off tracking options for activity controls in the Google Account Center (known as WAA) and/or Chrome's history and activity related to Google services, websites, apps, and devices (sWAA), Google continued to collect, store, and use activity data from non-Google apps.

This was possible because these apps had integrated certain Google software codes, specifically Google Firebase SDK and Google Mobile Ads SDK (Google AdMob SDK), allowing Google to continue data collection, in violation of the WAA and sWAA's control settings. This practice has been deemed a breach of privacy.

Key Points:

1. The email notification is authorized by the U.S. federal court and sent by the lawyers and representatives handling the lawsuit;
2. Google denies the allegations and has not admitted any wrongdoing, with the court yet to decide on the matter;
3. If you paused or turned off Google's Activity Controls between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024, you might be eligible for inclusion in the class action;
4. The U.S. federal court has approved the lawsuit for class action status;

After receiving this notification, there's no action required on your part to be included in the lawsuit, but you may opt out if you wish.

The class action lawsuit accuses Google of illegally accessing users' mobile devices to collect, store, and use activity data from non-Google apps, constituting privacy infringement, intrusion upon seclusion (a form of privacy violation), and violations of the Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (CDAFA).

Currently, no financial compensation or other benefits are guaranteed, as the court has not yet ruled on Google's liability, nor has a settlement been reached. However, should there be any financial or other benefits awarded, you will be notified.

Google users are advised to check their Gmail spam folders, as the notification email may have been automatically directed there. If you have not received the notification in any of your folders, it likely means you are not affected by this lawsuit.