In re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation

  • Open
  • Docket Number: No. 15-15858 (9th Cir.), appeal from No. 10-cv-04809-EJD (N.D. Cal.)
  • CEI Litigation
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In the original case, Gaos v. Google, plaintiffs sued Google seeking trillions of dollars in statutory damages for alleged federal privacy violations over their search engine. CEI’s Center for Class Action Fairness objected to the class action settlement negotiated by the plaintiffs’ lawyers in Gaos v. Google because it provided $0 to class members and $8.5 million to be divided between the plaintiffs’ lawyers – who received $1000/hour on this case – and cy pres recipients. Cy pres recipients included organizations that were not parties in the litigation, including class counsel’s alma maters, and several organizations that Google already supports through donations.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California approved the settlement in Gaos v. Google over CCAF’s objection. CCAF appealed the settlement approval to the Ninth Circuit, and oral argument was heard on March 13, 2017. On August 22, 2017, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the district court’s order approving a cy pres only settlement. On September 5, 2017, CCAF requested a rehearing.

CCAF has been a pioneer of protecting consumers and shareholders from the abusive practice of cy pres, winning landmark appellate decisions on the question in 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2015. The Ninth Circuit court’s decision on this case could affect future class-action settlements, especially the use of cy pres awards.

On September 5, 2017, CCAF requested a rehearing, but the Ninth Circuit denied motions for rehearing and rehearing en banc October 5, 2017. CCAF petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case on January 3, 2018. The Court has previously expressed interest in addressing cy pres issues.

Watch the March 13 oral argument below or on YouTube.

On April 30, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review CEI’s case in Frank v. Gaos. For the filings and more information related to the Supreme Court case click here.