Specifically, it’s entitled ‘Notice of Class Action Settlement re Google Plus–Your Rights May Be Affected’. The subject will definitely catch your attention with the mention of “Your Rights May Be Affected”. Basically, the message explains the lawsuit, who is involved, who qualifies to get a claim, and how much can be received.
Full Answer
Did you receive a 'notice of class action settlement' from Google?
In August 2020, some users of Gmail, the Google email service, reported receiving a message with the subject line, “Notice of Class Action Settlement re Google Plus – Your Rights May Be Affected.”
Why have I received a notice that I am a settlement class?
You have received this notice because Google’s records indicate that you may be a Settlement Class Member, and you may be eligible to receive a payment from the Settlement. Please visit www.GooglePlusDataLitigation.com for more information.
How does a class action lawsuit settlement work?
Because it was a class action lawsuit, both sides agree on a claims administrator. This person reviews all claims and determines whether it is valid or not. The claims that are considered valid are eligible to receive money from the settlement. That is what this email is about.
When does Google have to give notice to potential class members?
Judge Davila of the US District Court for Northern California issued the order approving the settlement on June 10, 2020. Item 17 pretty much says Google has 60 days after the order was entered to give email notice to the potential class members. 60 days after June 10th is August 9th, which probably explains the timing.
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Is there a Google class action settlement?
As part of a class-action lawsuit settlement, Google has agreed to pay $90 million to small US developers.
Why did I get a Notice of class action settlement?
If you received a class action notice in the mail, this simply means that your legal rights may be affected by a lawsuit that was recently filed or settled. Notices are sent to people whose rights could be affected by a class action.
Does Google have a settlement?
Plaintiffs' law firms Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP and Altshuler Berzon LLP announce today that Plaintiffs have reached an agreement with Defendant Google LLC ( “Google”), in which Google will pay $118 million to settle a class action gender discrimination lawsuit, Ellis v.
Should I participate in a class action settlement?
In most cases, it is a good idea to join the class action if you believe you suffered injuries or financial losses caused by the defendant. We do recommend you give us a call and discuss your situation with one of our class action lawsuit attorneys before you make a decision, however.
What happens if I do nothing in a class action lawsuit?
If you do nothing, you will become a Class Member bound by the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Final Judgment, thus forfeiting your right to sue on your own regarding any claims that are part of the settlement.
What is a class settlement payment?
A class-action lawsuit settlement is the proceeds that are received from winning a class-action lawsuit. It is the monetary benefit paid out to the individuals that make up the class-action lawsuit.
How much is the settlement for Google?
Google must pay $400 settlement checks - see if you're eligible to get one.
How do I join the Google class-action lawsuit in Illinois?
So, if you are (or were) an Illinois resident who appeared in a photo or video on Google Photos between May 1st, 2015, and April 25th, 2022, you have until September 24th, 2022, to submit a claim on the settlement's website.
How can I get $400 on Facebook?
You must have filed a claim form by November 23, 2020 to receive a payout. If you do not remember whether you filed, or if you think there has been a mistake, you can contact one of the following: Settlement Administrator: 1-844-799-2417. Edelson PC, lawyer appointment to the case: 1-866-354-3015.
Is there a downside to joining class action lawsuit?
The risk of a class-action lawsuit is that if you lose, you will not receive any compensation for your injuries. If you win, however, you will receive a financial or other non-monetary award.
What are the disadvantages of joining a class action lawsuit?
Some of the common disadvantages of class action lawsuits include: Lack of decision making control. Class action lawsuits are, by definition, representative rather than group litigation. That means that representatives of the affected class make the important litigation decisions – including when to settle.
Are class action settlements taxable?
The general rule of taxability for amounts received from settlement of lawsuits and other legal remedies is Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 61 that states all income is taxable from whatever source derived, unless exempted by another section of the code.
What is a class action settlement notice?
The class action notice outlines the original plaintiff's claims against the defendant and the terms of the proposed settlement. California's federal courts have suggested language that attorneys should use when sending out these notices.
What is a notice of settlement in NJ?
A notice of settlement in NJ refers to a document that is filed to let people know that an owner is going to either sell or mortgage a property. This is designed to keep someone from taking a mortgage on a property that already has a mortgage on it, but the deed simply hasn't been recorded yet.
Are class action settlements taxable?
The general rule of taxability for amounts received from settlement of lawsuits and other legal remedies is Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 61 that states all income is taxable from whatever source derived, unless exempted by another section of the code.
Can you ignore a class action lawsuit?
If a plaintiff participates in a class action lawsuit, he or she gives up the right to file an individual lawsuit against the defendant. However, a person may opt out of a class action lawsuit and choose not to participate, which gives him or her the right to file an individual lawsuit against the defendant.
When did Google Plus receive a notification of class action settlement?
Origin. In August 2020 , some users of Gmail, the Google email service, reported receiving a message with the subject line, “Notice of Class Action Settlement re Google Plus – Your Rights May Be Affected.”.
When did Google Plus close?
Google Plus was shuttered by early 2019.
How much did Google pay in 2020?
In August 2020, some Gmail users received the email from the email address [email protected], alerting them about the June of 2020 lawsuit settlement, which required that Google pay $7.5 million in payments to claimants and other associated fees. Claimants were defined in the email as, “all persons within the United States who (a) had a consumer Google+ account for any period of time between January 1, 2015 and April 2, 2019, and (2) had their non-public Profile Information exposed as a result of the software bugs Google announced.”
Who reached out to Google for confirmation?
Snopes reached out to Google for confirmation, and we will update this post if we receive more information.
Is Google's settlement claim true?
In summary, based on confirmation from Google on multiple platforms about the veracity of the email, and the process of receiving funds from the settlement, we rate this claim as “True.”
Is Google Plus paying for lawsuits?
According to an August 2020 email, some former Google Plus users were eligible for a cash payment from a 2018 lawsuit settlement after a software issue exposed the private data of up to half a million users of the social network.
When is the deadline to object to the Google settlement?
Write to the Settlement Administrator about why you do not like the Settlement. The deadline for objecting is October 8, 2020. These Objections will be shared with the Court. If you object to the Settlement, you will be bound by the Settlement’s terms and will not be allowed to exclude yourself from the Settlement; you will lose the right to sue Google and/or any other released entities regarding the legal claims in this case.
How much is the net settlement fund for a Class Member?
Amount of Payments: Class Members who submit a Valid Claim may receive a pro rata share of the Net Settlement Fund up to a cash payment of $12.00 depending on the number of claimants. Each Class Member can submit only one claim. Any funds remaining in the Net Settlement Fund after distribution (s) to Class Members will be distributed to Cy Pres Recipients that have been selected by a neutral third party and approved by the Court.
What happened to Google+?
In 2018, Google announced that the Google+ platform had experienced software bugs between 2015 and 2018, which allowed app developers to access certain Google+ profile field information in an unintended manner. Plaintiffs Matthew Matic, Zak Harris, Charles Olson, and Eileen M. Pinkowski thereafter filed this lawsuit asserting various legal claims on behalf of a putative class of Google+ users who were allegedly harmed by the software bugs (“Class”). 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.
What is the settlement fund?
This Settlement Fund will provide compensation to Settlement Class Members, pay for notice and administration costs, provide for any approved Service Awards to the Class Representatives who filed the case, and compensate the attorneys for any approved fee, cost, and expense awards. If the Settlement is finally approved, Settlement Class Members will be prevented from bringing any further claims against Google for any conduct relating to the software bugs affecting Google+ profile fields.
What happens to the residual funds after settlement?
Any residual funds remaining after payments to Settlement Class Members will be distributed to Approved Cy Pres Recipients as approved and directed by the Court.
What happens if you do nothing on Google?
You will be bound by the Settlement’s terms and will lose the right to sue Google and/or any other released entities regarding the legal claims in this case.
How to opt out of Google Plus?
You may obtain the Opt-Out Form at www.GooglePlusDataLitigation.com. Your completed Opt-Out Form may be submitted via e-mail to [email protected], or via postal mail to the following address: Google Plus Data Litigation, Attn: Opt-Out Requests, P.O. Box 58220, Philadelphia, PA, 19102. If you opt-out of the Settlement, you will not be bound by the Settlement Agreement, you will not receive a Settlement Payment, and you will not be allowed to object to the Settlement.
When did Google settle a lawsuit?
Google LLC settled a class-action lawsuit over it’s now-defunct Google Plus social media service on August 4, and former users received an e-mail stating they may be eligible to receive money from the $7.5 million settlement reached by the Internet company.
Who filed a lawsuit against Google?
Plaintiffs Matthew Matic, Zak Harris, Charles Olson, and Eileen M. Pinkowski filed a lawsuit on behalf of a putative class of Google Plus users who might’ve been affected by the software bugs. In April 2019, Google removed the platform from its service.
How many people used Google Plus?
There an estimated 10 million people who used Google Plus while the service was exposed to the software bug.
What happens if you don't sue Google?
If you do nothing, you will not receive any money and will lose the right to sue Google and/or any other released entities regarding the legal claims in the case. The settlement excludes anyone who works for Google and anyone involved in the case or their immediate family members from receiving money.
When did Google remove the platform?
In April 2019 , Google removed the platform from its service. The information possibly leaked included users’ names, email addresses, gender, information about their occupations, and their home location, according to the plaintiffs’ motion in support of the settlement, which was filed in U.S.
Does Google provide quick relief for settlement class members?
The plaintiffs’ brief stated that the following mediation, Google will provide “quick relief for Settlement Class members, including payments for potentially disseminating their non-public information to unauthorized third -party application developers.”
Is Google's e-mail real?
However, Google’s e-mail to users was real, as is the promised cash payout.
Summary of Litigation
Summary of Settlement Terms
- Settlement Fund: Under the Settlement, Google will pay $7.5 million which will be used to fund: (1) Class Member Settlement payments; (2) attorneys’ fees not to exceed 25% of the Settlement Fund and costs and expenses not to exceed $200,000.00; (3) four service awards to the Class Representatives in an amount not to exceed $1,500 each for their services on behalf of the Settl…
Your Options Under The Settlement
- Option 1 – Submit a Claim Form to Be Eligible for a Cash Payment
If you submit a Valid Claim by October 8, 2020, you may receive a payment. You will also give up your rights to sue Google and/or any other released entities regarding the legal claims in this case. - Option 2 – Opt Out of the Settlement
This is the only option that allows you to sue Google and/or other released parties on your own regarding the legal claims in this case. You will not receive a payment from the Settlement. The deadline for excluding yourself is October 8, 2020.
Additional Information
- How do I know if I am part of the Settlement Class?
The Settlement Class is defined as: “all persons within the United States who (a) had a consumer Google+ account for any period of time between January 1, 2015 and April 2, 2019, and (2) had their non-public Profile Information exposed as a result of the software bugs Google announced … - What are the terms of the Settlement?
Under the Settlement, Google has agreed to create a Settlement Fund of $7,500,000. This Settlement Fund will provide compensation to Settlement Class Members, pay for notice and administration costs, provide for any approved Service Awards to the Class Representatives wh…