IL Google Users Could See Up To $400 In Class-Action Suit Payout

ILLINOIS — Less than a month after checks and direct deposits of up to $400 began showing up in Illinois residents' bank account after a Facebook class action suit, Illinoisans have another chance to collect money — this time from Google.

Like Facebook, Google is accused of using the facial features of users in Illinois without their permission. A class-action suit, filed against Google for violating state privacy laws, could result in residents receiving up to $400.

The lawsuit claims that Google violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting and storing information of Illinois residents who appeared in a photograph that was ultimately stored in the company’s Google Photos files. The company is accused of storing users' photos in the filing system without the consent of the user, the lawsuit says.

Google has insisted it has not broken any such laws, according to multiple media reports.

Illinois residents are eligible for a piece of the $100 million settlement if they appeared in a Google Photos image that was taken between May 1, 2015, and April 25 of this year, the settlement indicates.

Residents have until Sept. 24 to submit a claim, which can be done by clicking here. Anyone who wishes to opt out of the settlement must do so by August 10. A hearing on the class action suit is scheduled for Sept. 26.

Residents who receive a portion of the settlement could expect to see anywhere between $200 and $400. The Facebook settlement checks were sent out two years after the filing deadline. Google users who are eligible to receive an undetermined amount after fees and court costs come out of the final settlement amount.

"No one knows in advance how much each valid claim payment will be until the deadline for submitting claims passes and the Court awards the Fee and Expense Award and Service Payments," the settlement website states. "Each Class Member who submits a valid claim will receive an equal proportionate share of the Net Settlement Fund."