Did you use Google+? You may be owed some money from class-action privacy settlement
If you used Google+, the now-defunct social network started by Google to take on Facebook, you may be eligible for a small piece of a court-mandated $7.5 million privacy settlement.
However, before you get excited, know that all it's worth to you is anywhere from $5 to $12. You'll have to file for your piece, and in return, get a free, cheap lunch, or maybe a cup of coffee.
To start the process, go to http://www.googleplusdatalitigation.com and then fill out a form, which should take up to five minutes. You enter your name, address, e-mail associated with the G+ account, and your choice of how you want to be paid. You can either do via PayPal or a digital check.
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Google operated the G+ social platform from June 2011 to April 2019, at which time it was shut down after discovery was made of app developers getting access to private information from users. The network was not popular anyhow, so Google decided to kill it.
Remember that site from way back when, I think it was called Google+? Looks like you might be able to get 12 bucks (or is it 5 bucks) because they violated your privacy. Woo Hoo! ;) https://t.co/HT8XxvN3uh
— Thomas Hawk (@thomashawk) August 4, 2020
To qualify for the settlement, you needed a Google account, which is pretty much anyone who used Google between 2011 and 2019. At one time, Google tried to strong-arm the growth of G+ by tying it other Google services. No G+ account, no YouTube, etc.
Note: If you do accept the $5 to $12, you waive your rights to sue Google over the matter.
Claim forms must be submitted by Oct. 8.
Follow USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham (@jeffersongraham) on Twitter
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Google may owe you money in settlement: How much and how to get it
