Google Agrees to Pay $8.5 Million to Settle Claims It Disclosed Internet Search Queries

Bloomberg BNA discusses Center for Class Action Fairness' case In re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation.

Google Inc. has agreed to establish an $8.5 million fund to settle class allegations that it disclosed consumers' search queries to third parties without the consumers' knowledge or consent, under a motion for preliminary approval of class action settlement filed July 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (In re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litig., N.D. Cal., No. 5:10-cv-04809-EJD, motion for preliminary approval of settlement filed 7/19/13).

Under the proposed settlement agreement, the $8.5 million is intended to cover payments to specific cy pres recipients that “agree to devote the funds to promote public awareness and education, and/or to support research, development, and initiatives, related to protecting privacy on the Internet.” Administrative costs, incentive awards, and attorneys' fees and costs will also be deducted from that amount.