Google Preparing To Hand $8,750,000 To Users After Being Accused of Collecting and Storing Biometric Data Without Permission

Google has agreed to pay millions of dollars to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the tech giant of illegally collecting customers’ biometric data.

According to a newly updated settlement administrator’s portal, Google will pay $8.75 million to settle accusations of collecting and storing biometric data of users of its Google Workspace for Education (or G Suite for Education) in Illinois schools without proper notice or permission.

The $8.75 million settlement fund will be shared on a pro rata basis among the victims who file a claim. The lead plaintiff in the lawsuit could receive up to $5,000, while the settlement administrator estimates other class members could collect an amount between $30 and $100.

Eligible claimants include individuals in the state whose biometric data was allegedly collected and stored by Google over a decade.

“You are a Class Member and are affected by this Settlement if at any time between March 26, 2015 and May 15, 2025, you were a resident of Illinois and had a voice model or face model created or had the Voice Match or Face Match feature enabled in your GWFE account while enrolled in a school located in the State of Illinois.”

Claims must be submitted by October 16th.

Google says it “denies that it collected, captured, or stored biometric data without proper notice and consent, denies that it violated Illinois law or any other law, denies that it bears any liability whatsoever, and denies that anyone has sustained any damages or injuries due to these allegations.”

The final settlement approval hearing is scheduled for October 14th.

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