Google has agreed to pay $8.75 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the company violated Illinois’ biometric privacy law through its education-focused services. The case centered on claims that Google collected and stored biometric data from students in Illinois without obtaining the notice and written consent required by the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
Settlement Covers Google Workspace for Education in Illinois Schools
The settlement applies to students who used Google Workspace for Education accounts while attending school in Illinois. Eligible class members may receive payments estimated between $30 and $100, depending on the number of valid claims filed. The lawsuit, first filed in 2020, was brought by an Illinois father on behalf of his children, identified as H.K. and J.C. in court documents.
Under the terms of the agreement, Google will establish an $8.75 million fund. Class counsel may seek attorney’s fees up to 40 percent of the fund, which would amount to approximately $3.5 million. The two class representatives may receive service awards of up to $5,000 each. After deducting administrative costs and legal fees, the remaining funds will be distributed among eligible claimants on a pro-rata basis.
The plaintiffs alleged that Google’s education platforms collected facial and voice data from students, creating biometric templates without following BIPA’s strict consent requirements. While Google denies any wrongdoing, the company opted to settle the case rather than continue with litigation.
Key Deadlines and Broader Implications
Class members have until September 1, 2025, to opt out of the settlement. A final approval hearing is scheduled for October 14, 2025, and claims must be filed by October 16, 2025. Approved payments are expected to be issued within 90 days of final court approval and the resolution of any appeals.
The case highlights growing legal and public scrutiny surrounding the use of biometric technologies in educational settings. Illinois’ BIPA law is considered one of the strongest biometric privacy statutes in the United States, requiring explicit written consent for the collection or storage of data such as facial scans, fingerprints, and voiceprints. The settlement adds to a growing list of BIPA-related legal actions involving major technology companies.
Source: Claim Depot
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By Cass Kennedy
