Google has agreed to pay $8.75 million to settle a lawsuit over claims that it violated students’ privacy rights in Illinois schools. The lawsuit alleged that Google collected biometric data from students without their knowledge or consent. The data was reportedly collected through tools used in Google Workspace for Education, also known as G Suite for Education, which was commonly used on school Chromebooks.
Many schools in Illinois provided students with free access to Google tools like Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Meet. These tools helped students and teachers during remote learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But some of these services included features like Voice Match and Face Match, which may have created and stored unique voice or face models of students. Under Illinois law, collecting this type of data without notice and consent is not allowed.
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$8.75 Million Google Settlement
The lawsuit, officially known as H.K. et al. v. Google LLC, was filed under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This law requires companies to inform people when their biometric data is being collected and to get written consent first. The lawsuit claimed that Google failed to follow this law when it created and stored biometric information from students without the knowledge of parents or schools.
Google denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid a lengthy court case. The company said the data was never used for commercial purposes and was only used to improve its services. Still, the settlement allows eligible families to claim money for the alleged privacy violation.
Who Is Eligible to Receive Money
To qualify for payment from the settlement, a person must meet these conditions:
- They were enrolled in a school located in Illinois.
- The school gave them access to Google Workspace for Education or G Suite for Education.
- They used these tools between March 26, 2015, and May 15, 2025.
- A voice model or face model was created through their account, or they had Voice Match or Face Match turned on.
Both adults and minors are eligible. However, for minors, a parent or legal guardian must file the claim. Any money received for a child must be used only for that child’s benefit.
How Much Money Can You Get
The total settlement amount is $8.75 million, but this amount will be split among all valid claims. Lawyers’ fees and court costs will also be taken out of the fund. Right now, each eligible person is expected to receive between $30 and $100, though this could change depending on how many people file claims.
Deadlines You Need to Know
If you want to get money from the settlement, you must file a claim by October 16, 2025. If you do not want to be part of the settlement or want to keep your right to sue Google, you must opt out by September 1, 2025. You can also file an objection if you disagree with any part of the settlement, also by September 1.
A final approval hearing will take place on October 14, 2025. The court will review the settlement and decide if it is fair and should be approved.
How to File a Claim
You can submit your claim form online or by mail. If asked, you may need to provide proof of Illinois school enrollment and identity, such as a student ID, report card, or a government-issued document. Payments can be sent through various methods, including:
- Direct deposit
- Zelle
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Prepaid Mastercard
- Paper check
Those who qualify should file their claim as soon as possible and keep records handy in case further proof is required.