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Google settled a class-action lawsuit over a Google Plus bug that exposed millions of users' information — and users only have a few days left to claim their cash payment

Oct 5, 2020, 21:25 IST
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  • Google has settled a class-action lawsuit over its now-shuttered Google Plus social media service.
  • Google Plus experienced two software bugs in 2018 that exposed the personal information of hundreds of thousands of users, including names, email addresses, occupations, and ages.
  • Those who had a Google Plus account between January 1, 2015, and April 2, 2019, and had their information exposed as a result of the bug could be eligible for a $12 cash payment from the company.
  • In order to receive the payout, users will have submit a claim form before October 8, 2020.
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Google has settled a class-action lawsuit over its now-shuttered Google Plus social media service, and past users only have a few days left to claim a cash payout from the company.

Google announced in August that a judge has granted preliminary approval of a $7.5 million settlement, though Google denied any wrongdoing.

The class-action suit was brought by former Google Plus users after two software bugs in 2018 exposed the personal information of hundreds of thousands of users, including names, email addresses, occupations, and ages. A Wall Street Journal investigation in 2018 found that Google had discovered the issue in March of that year, but opted not to publicly disclose it over concerns of "reputational damage" and "immediate regulatory interest," given the scrutiny over Facebook's Cambridge Analytica scandal around the same time.

As a result of the issues, Google shut down Google Plus for good in April 2019.

The settlement specifies that anyone who had a Google Plus account between January 1, 2015 and April 2, 2019 and had their information exposed as a result of the bug would be eligible for a payment. The settlement excludes anyone who works for Google and anyone involved in the case or their immediate family members.

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Claimants will receive a maximum of $12, though the initial payment may only be $5.

In order to receive a payout, you must submit a claim form before October 8, 2020.

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