Settlement Information
A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Google LLC (“Defendant” or “Google”), which alleges that Google violated Illinois law by collecting and storing biometric data of certain individuals who were enrolled in schools located in Illinois, through its Google Workspace for Education or G Suite for Education (together, “GWFE”) platform, without proper notice and consent. Google denies all allegations against it, denies that it collected, captured, or stored biometric data without proper notice and consent, denies that it violated Illinois law or any other law, denies that it bears any liability whatsoever, and denies that anyone has sustained any damages or injuries due to these allegations.
The $8,750,000 Settlement Fund that Google has agreed to pay will be divided equally (i.e. pro rata), among all Class Members who file a valid claim, after Court-approved deductions from the Settlement Fund for taxes on interest accrued from the Settlement Fund, notice and settlement administration expenses, attorneys’ fees and expenses awarded by the Court, and Court-approved service payments to the Class Representatives.
Who Is a Class Member?
You are a Class Member and are affected by this Settlement if at any time between March 26, 2015 and May 15, 2025, you were a resident of Illinois and had a voice model or face model created or had the Voice Match or Face Match feature enabled in your GWFE account while enrolled in a school located in the State of Illinois.
Important Dates
September 1, 2025
Deadline to exclude yourself from the Settlement or object to the Settlement.
October 16, 2025
Deadline to submit a Claim.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 FormOctober 16, 2025 |
The only way to get a payment is by submitting a Claim. If you submit a Claim, 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 by October 16, 2025. The Claim Form must be completed by an adult of 18 years or older. Parents or guardians may submit claims on behalf of minors. For more information, see FAQ 10. |
Exclude Yourself From This SettlementSeptember 1, 2025 |
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. Parents or guardians may opt out on behalf of minors. To exclude yourself or your minor child, you must submit a request to be excluded by September 1, 2025. For more information, see FAQ 17. |
Object To Or Comment on the SettlementSeptember 1, 2025 |
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. Parents or guardians may object on behalf of minors. If you choose to object, you must do so by September 1, 2025. For more information, see FAQ 20. |
Go to the “Final Approval” HearingOctober 14, 2025 at 2:30 p.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://us06web.zoom.us/j/3098362777). 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
October 16, 2025
Exclusion Deadline
September 1, 2025
Objection Deadline
September 1, 2025
Final Approval Hearing
October 14, 2025
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.