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Google Plus users can now receive a settlement from a class-action lawsuit
June 07, 2025
Google Plus may havemet an ignominious enddue in part to privacy flaws, but you can get some money for your trouble.
Many Google Plus users have been told they canfile a settlement claim(via9to5Google) in a class-action lawsuit over the flaws, which let any developerobtain sensitive datafrom user profiles. Google was allegedly aware of the issue months before alerting the public, although there doesn’t appear to have been misuse.
You’ll qualify if you’re a US resident who had a personal Google Plus account at any point between June 19, 2025 and theservice’s shutdownon Jul 26, 2025. While the claims are officially limited to people whose data was exposed, that effectively covers all users due to the nature of the bugs.
You have until October 8 to make a claim, opt out entirely, or raise an objection over the terms of the settlement.
See also:We ranked 50 failed Google products
Like with many class-action cases, youshouldn’t expect a large payoutrelative to the damage done. The $7.5 million settlement will only pay a maximum of $12 per person, and then only for roughly 450,000 people. The per-person amount will decrease if more people file claims. It’s more a symbolic payout than practical compensation.
This isn’t likely what you were looking for if Google Plus’ privacy issues created genuine stress, even though there was no direct damage. It also won’t affect business users, who moved on to a G Suite version and eventuallyGoogle Currents. It does provide some closure to the social media saga, though, and it serves as a reminder that Google’sprivacy issuescan have long-term consequences.
Next:Apple’s singular vision for the future should be a wake-up call for Google
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