Class Actions and Google
Google, as one of the largest global technology companies, has been at the center of
numerous class action lawsuits addressing various aspects of its business practices,
particularly related to data privacy, discrimination, and competitive behavior. These
class actions illustrate the broader legal and social challenges in holding powerful
tech companies accountable.
1. Data Privacy and Biometric Data Lawsuits
One significant category of Google class actions concerns alleged violations of data
privacy regulations, including the collection and use of biometric data. For instance, a
notable case settled with $8.75 million addressed claims that Google unlawfully
captured biometric data from Illinois students through its "Google Workspace for
Education" platform pre-installed on school Chromebooks. Plaintiffs contended that
Google did not provide proper notice or obtain valid consent when capturing
voiceprints and facial templates, thereby violating the Illinois Biometric Information
Privacy Act (BIPA). The settlement included provisions for improved transparency and
user consent for biometric data processing moving forward.
Additionally, Google faced a California class action that resulted in a $314 million
verdict for improperly collecting and using Android users' cell phone data without
consent while devices were inactive. The suit alleged that Google’s data harvesting
occurred to benefit targeted advertising efforts at the users' expense. Google has
contested such rulings, arguing that their services maintain security and performance
standards and that users agreed to the data practices through terms of service.
2. Employment Discrimination Class Actions
Google has also encountered class actions related to workplace discrimination. One
such high-profile case resulted in a $50 million settlement over allegations of racial
bias in hiring, pay, and promotion practices. The lawsuit alleged systemic
discrimination against Black employees, including a hostile work environment and
denial of advancement opportunities. This suit followed other settlements, including
a $28 million resolution for alleged pay disparities against non-white employees and
a $3.8 million settlement regarding gender and Asian employee pay discrimination.
These legal actions—and related reports by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission highlighting underrepresentation and discrimination issues in the tech
sector—underscore ongoing social problems within Google’s corporate culture and
the tech industry generally.
3. Antitrust and Competitive Practices
Class actions also target Google’s dominant market position, particularly regarding
search advertising and distribution practices. Lawsuits have accused Google of
abusing its monopoly power to stifle competition, maintain advertising dominance,
and manipulate market conditions to its favor. For example, multi-billion-pound class
actions in Europe and legal challenges in the U.S. reflect increasing regulatory
scrutiny aimed at reining in Google’s market practices.
4. Mechanisms and Outcomes of Google Class Actions
Class actions against Google highlight how collective legal mechanisms function to
address widespread grievances. By aggregating claims, affected users or employees
can seek compensation and policy reforms more efficiently than individual lawsuits
would allow. Google has settled some cases, often without admitting wrongdoing,
while disputing others and appealing verdicts.
Settlements typically involve monetary compensation for affected class members and
commitments to change policies or practices, such as improved pay equity measures,
enhanced privacy notices, or consent mechanisms. The litigation also pressures
Google to increase transparency and accountability regarding data use, advertising
algorithms, and workplace diversity efforts.
5. Ongoing and Future Litigation
Google faces ongoing class actions, including a pending federal suit in the U.S. about
Android user data across all states, with trials slated for 2026, and large-scale
antitrust cases evolving worldwide. Developments in these legal arenas will shape
future corporate responsibility standards for data protection, equality, and
competition in the tech sector.
