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Google agrees to pay $350 million settlement in data privacy case

Individual Google shareholders may be eligible to apply for some of the money

February 5, 2024 at 11:38 p.m. EST
A security lapse resulted in the personal data of users of the now-defunct social media website Google Plus being exposed to the internet. (Reuters/Francis Mascarenhas)
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SAN FRANCISCO — Google agreed to pay $350 million to settle a lawsuit years after a security lapse meant the personal data of users of its now-defunct social media website Google Plus was exposed to the internet.

The settlement comes just weeks after Google settled another lawsuit brought by users of its Chrome web browser who had their data tracked even though they were using private mode. That case could cost Google billions, though a specific amount has yet to be announced.