Did You Use Google Between 2006 And 2013? You May Be Eligible For Free Money

If you’re like the millions of people who used Google between 2006 and 2013, there’s a good chance you can win some extra money.

After being accused of leaking users’ private information during those seven years, the tech giant settled the suit for $23 million.

So how can you get paid?

Let’s explore the recent lawsuit’s details and see how to sign up and receive your cut today.

What Was The Case About?

In this class-action settlement, the plaintiff filed a suit against Google for allegedly sharing its users’ personal information with third-party sites and companies, including search queries and histories. After years of litigation, Google settled for $23 million in compensation for damages.

Unsurprisingly, the site refused to admit any wrongdoing for what happened.

Who Is Eligible To Receive Settlement Money?

Now that the case is settled, users can submit their claims to get a piece of the pie.

If you’re a U.S. resident who found themselves Googling away between October 26, 2006, and September 30, 2013, you’re potentially eligible for this payout.

But what if you aren’t sure if you haven’t used Google during that time?

You can always contact the Settlement Administrator to see if you’re eligible or have any other questions about the case’s details.

How Much Can You Receive?

While some class action lawsuits can result in a lot of money, this one isn’t one of them.

The sheer amount of Google users and fairly small settlement means it’s a fairly small pie for everyone.

Depending on the amount of claimants, you can expect to receive around $7.70 after the case is over.

Sure, it may only be enough for a slice of pizza or a cup of coffee, but it’s essentially a little extra “free” money you weren’t expecting.

How To Sign Up For The Settlement

If you want to go forward with the claim, signing up is easy and only takes a few minutes. Here’s what you need to do:

Fill out the claim registration form to get a class member ID.
Once you receive it, go to the “submit your claim” page.
Enter your member ID and fill out your basic information, like your name, address, and confirmation that you used Google during the specific time frame.
Submit your claim, and you’re all set!

When you submit your claim, you’ll have the option to submit it online or by mail. If you choose the latter, simply download the form and submit your claim to the provided address.

When Will You Receive Your Settlement By?

There’s no specific date for when you’ll get your settlement check. However, the final hearing for the case is October 12, 2023.

Let’s say the court approves everything, and there aren’t any appeals. If that’s the case, you can expect to receive your settlement as soon as possible.

You need to submit everything by July 31, 2023. Send your claim as soon as possible so you don’t miss the deadline!

The Bottom Line

When you do a Google search, the last thing you expect is your information to be shared without knowing about it.
And while the platform didn’t admit any wrongdoing, hopefully, this settlement stops it from exposing your details in the future.

The settlement payout isn’t a complete life-changer. But for a few minutes of your time, you’ll get a little bonus money for your next cup of coffee.

So keep an eye out for that payout after October 12, and if you haven’t done it yet, register and start your claim process today!