It’s not every day that a company as big and powerful as Google is forced to pay out millions of dollars in settlements, but that’s exactly what’s happening right now.
If you clicked on any links on Google’s search engine between October 25, 2006, and September 30, 2013, you could be eligible for part of the $23 million settlement from the decade-old class action lawsuit against them.
That means you might get your hands on some serious pocket change – up to $7.70! All it takes is filing a claim before July 31, 2023.
Here’s what we’re going to discuss in this post:
1. What is digital privacy?
2. Are you eligible for a Google settlement?
3. What you can do before the Google settlement payout date.
4. Tips on how to protect your privacy online.
Let’s start!
Digital Privacy 101: What Is It?
First, the basics. What is digital privacy?
Also known as online privacy, some would describe it as the right of users to be in control over their personal data and how it is used.
For many, digital privacy means having the freedom to choose when and where data is collected, what data can be shared and who has access to that information.
In simpler terms: You should have ownership over your own online activity.
The Google lawsuit originated from the search giant’s alleged “storing and intentionally, systematically and repeatedly divulging its users’ search queries and histories to third parties.”
According to the consolidated class-action Google lawsuit, they achieved this through Referrer Headers, which are a type of HTTP headers used to track the sites that users visit.
Your online privacy is also tied to how much of your personally identifiable information (PII) is shared with companies, which the lawsuit contends Google has illegally shared.
PII includes the following:
• Real name
• Street address
• Phone number
• Credit card number
• Social security number
• Financial account number
When breached, this information can be used to track, target and even steal identities.
The Google lawsuit also identified potential entities that your PII data was transferred to, namely:
• Marketers
• Data brokers
• Third parties who engage in selling and reselling private information
You don’t want a random company to know where you live, your phone number or be able to track what you’re searching for online. That’s why you must value your privacy protection online and take steps to make sure you’re in control. (More on that later!)
Am I Eligible To Claim My Part of the Settlement?
While they didn’t admit to anything, users affected by this Google class action lawsuit can claim a part of the $23 million settlement.
You could be eligible to receive a payout if you used the search engine between October 25, 2006, and September 30, 2013, and clicked on a link or advertisement close to the time you performed a given query.
The average payout is $7.70, depending on how many people file a valid claim. For someone using Google (and most probably got their data shared), that’s not a bad deal.
Here’s the full consolidated class action lawsuit against Google.
Getting Your Share of the Google Settlement
The settlement’s administrators will distribute payout checks to certified claimants by June 7, 2023. Here’s how you can claim your piece of the settlement cake:
Step 1: Head over to their website, https://www.refererheadersettlement.com/, and click “Registration Form.”
Image from Referrer Headers Settlement
Step 2: In the Registration Form section, fill out all the necessary information, such as:
• Name
• Phone number
• Street address
• Email Address
You’ll also need to attest that you used Google and clicked on a link on their search engine results pages (SERPs) between October 25, 2006, and September 30, 2013.
Image from Referrer Headers Settlement
Step 3: Check your email inbox, including your spam folder, for a message containing your Class Member ID. Your Class Member ID will be used to file an online claim here.
Image from Referrer Headers Settlement
You’ll also specify your payment method here. Your options include the following:
• Paypal
• Venmo
• Prepaid card
Step 4: Wait for the Google settlement payout date of June 7, 2023. The settlement administrators will start distributing payout checks on this date.
Quick reminder: File your claim for the Google class action lawsuit before July 31, 2023, since any claims made beyond that point will no longer be considered.
6 Tips on How To Protect Your Privacy Online
While a payout from a Google class action lawsuit sounds great, you don’t want yourself or your business to be victims of an online privacy breach.
Here are five tips to follow.
1. Use Stronger Passwords for Your Accounts
They are the key to accessing our digital lives. Every time we create an account, we’re reminded about the importance of having a unique and strong password.
We recommend your password have the following characteristics:
• At least 8 characters long.
• Contain symbols, numbers and other special characters.
• Have uppercase and lowercase letters.
If maintaining a huge vault of passwords sounds overwhelming, we recommend you try password manager apps like:
• LastPass
• DashLane
• 1Password
These password management solutions are encrypted, secure and can generate very strong passwords for you.
2. Block Ads and Other Trackers With Online Privacy Tools
Data as simple as which website you visited and what content you’ve seen is a valuable commodity.
That’s why ad networks, analytics companies and other third-party services track our online activities to deliver relevant advertisements or content.
We recommend using a browser extension like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger to block ads, trackers and other unwanted content.
Other safe browsing tools include:
• ProtonVPN: Encrypts your internet connection.
• HTTPS Everywhere: Compels websites to use HTTPS encryption.
• Chrome Safe Browsing: Warns users about dangerous websites.
(Read more: How Do Ad Blockers Work and Do They Impact Your Marketing Strategy?)
3. Install Antivirus Software
This may sound old-school, but installing an antivirus really helps with your privacy in the digital age.
Sure, there are fewer viruses out there today. But the ones that do exist, like ransomware or spyware, are capable of causing serious data breaches.
Protect your website and yourself from harmful threats using an antivirus program like Avast, Norton or McAfee.
Most antivirus solutions today have privacy protection online built-in, so you can safely browse the internet without any worries.
4. Use Secure Hosting on Your Website
Websites are the primary targets of data thieves, especially if they’re running on outdated software or hosted on vulnerable web hosting services.
To protect your online privacy in the digital age, you must invest in a secure and reliable web hosting service.
If you’re using a WordPress website design, using a managed hosting provider like Kinsta is the best solution.
These web hosts offer advanced data protection features that protect your website, such as:
• Firewalls
• Malware scanning
• SSL encryption
Custom websites also benefit from secure web hosting services. Look for a provider that offers 24/7 support, reliable backups and DDoS protection.
Take a look at this custom website for a software development consulting company. This isn’t just designed to be aesthetically pleasing but also secure.
Web design: Kranium Consulting
The website asks for customer information, so the developers installed security measures to protect customer data. Website uptime is also important for them, so they got a reliable web hosting provider.
5. Set Up Two-Factor Authentication on Your Accounts
Thanks to advanced data protection technologies, we can now enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on our online accounts and services.
Doing so involves using your phone or authenticator app to receive a unique code whenever you log in. This prevents unauthorized access to your account, even if someone knows your password.
The password managers we discussed earlier have their own two-factor authentication tools, as do other services like:
• Google
• Microsoft
• Twitter
• Facebook
If your business maintains critical online accounts, setting up two-factor authentication is best to protect your online privacy.
6. Regularly Update Your Device and Software
Malicious actors constantly modify and invent new ways to breach your browser privacy in the digital age.
That’s why you must keep up and do the same thing. All the software you use today, from browsers to safe browsing plugins and even operating systems, will need to be updated every now and then.
Ensure your devices are also up-to-date, as they may carry security flaws that can put you at risk.
For advanced data protection, you can even set up automated update schedules. This way, your system gets the most recent security patches and updates without manual intervention from your end.
Elevating Your Privacy Protection Online With Thrive
Here’s a recap of the Google class action lawsuit:
• Who’s eligible: Anyone who used Google Search and clicked on a link between October 25, 2006, and September 30, 2013.
• Deadline: July 31, 2023
• Google settlement payout date: Begins on June 7, 2023
But as we’ve discussed, data protection and browser privacy are ongoing processes. For businesses that rely on a website, investing in the right tools and services helps you avoid a multi-million dollar lawsuit from your users.
At Thrive, we offer custom web design solutions that focus on three things:
• Security
• Speed
• Scalability
We take extra care to ensure that your website is secure with up-to-date coding standards and defense against the latest threats. We also use advanced data protection technologies like SSL encryption, two-factor authentication and malware scanning to keep your business safe online.
Protect your data, your business and your users with our industry-leading solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIONS LED TO THE GOOGLE LAWSUIT?
The lawsuit alleged that Google violated users’ privacy by appending their search keywords to the HTTP Referer header, which was then sent to websites when users clicked on a Google Search result link. This action compromised users’ privacy by sharing their search queries with third parties without user consent
HOW WAS THE $23 MILLION SETTLEMENT AMOUNT DETERMINED?
The settlement amount of $23 million was agreed upon to resolve claims that Google shared search queries with third-party websites and companies without user consent. However, the specifics on how this amount was determined are not detailed in the sources, but it represents a settlement to resolve the class action lawsuit without Google admitting any wrongdoing.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE SETTLEMENT FOR GOOGLE AND ITS USERS MOVING FORWARD?
While the settlement resolves the lawsuit, Google did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the agreement. The implications for Google include a financial payout and potentially increased scrutiny regarding privacy practices. For users, it represents acknowledgment of their privacy concerns, although the settlement does not necessarily imply changes in Google’s practices
ARE THERE ANY PRECEDENTS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE OR OTHER TECH GIANTS?
There are several precedents for lawsuits against Google and other tech giants concerning anti-competitive practices and privacy violations. Google has faced significant antitrust litigation, including a lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice and multiple state attorneys general, focusing on its search and advertising practices. In Europe, Google was fined €2.42 billion in 2017 for favoring its own shopping service in search results, with total fines for various anti-competitive practices reaching €8.25 billion over a decade. Additionally, companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have faced lawsuits for allegedly violating Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act by using personal biometric data without consent.
HOW CAN INDIVIDUALS VERIFY THE SAFETY AND PRIVACY OF THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE BEYOND THE TIPS PROVIDED?
Individuals are advised to use privacy-focused browsers and search engines, regularly review privacy settings on websites and apps and stay informed about data breaches and privacy policies of services they use.
