Frequently Asked Questions

Basic Information
  1. What is this lawsuit about?
  2. Why was the Notice issued?
  3. What is a class action and who is involved?
  4. Are there any money or benefits available now?
Who is a Class Member
  1. Am I part of this class action lawsuit?
  2. Are Enterprise and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 included in the Classes for the legal claims for invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion?
  3. How do I know if my Web & App Activity and/or supplemental Web & App Activity settings were turned off between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024?
  4. Are there exceptions to the persons or entities included as Class Members?
  5. If I am still not sure if I am a Class Member, who should I contact?
Your Rights and Options
  1. What happens if I do nothing at all?
Excluding Yourself from the Lawsuit
  1. What happens if I ask to be excluded?
  2. How do I ask to be excluded?
The Lawyers Representing You
  1. Do I have a lawyer in this lawsuit?
  2. How will the lawyers be paid?
  3. Are the Class Representatives paid?
  4. Should I get my own lawyer?
  5. What if I already have my own lawyer?
Getting More Information
  1. Where do I get more information?

Basic Information

  1. What is this lawsuit about?

    Plaintiffs in this lawsuit sued Google alleging that when someone turned off or “paused” Google’s Web & App Activity setting and/or supplemental Web & App Activity setting, Google lacked permission to collect, save, and use the data concerning their activity on non-Google apps that have incorporated certain Google software code into the apps (such as Uber, Venmo, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.). Plaintiffs allege that regardless of whether Class Members had these settings paused or turned off, Google collected app activity data using certain code embedded within many non-Google apps. This embedded code includes the Firebase Software Development Kit and the Google Mobile Ads Software Development Kit, which are written and distributed by Google and placed on apps by third party developers who own the apps. Plaintiffs allege Google used this code to unlawfully access their devices and collect, save, and use data from their activity on non-Google apps for Google’s own benefit.

    Google denies Plaintiffs’ legal claims. The Court has not decided who is right.

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  2. Why was the Notice issued?

    A federal court authorized the Notice because Class Members have a right to know about their legal rights. The Notice only advises you of the existence of this lawsuit, your rights and options, and the deadlines to exercise them if you are a Class Member.

    Chief Judge Richard Seeborg of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California is overseeing this lawsuit, known as Rodriguez et al. v. Google LLC, Case No. 20-cv-4688-RS (N.D. Cal.), and has determined that legal claims against Google for invasion of privacy, intrusion upon seclusion, and violation of the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, Cal. Penal Code § 502, can proceed as a class action. Judge Seeborg "certified" two nationwide Classes: Class 1 and Class 2 (together the "Classes") and you may be a Class Member.

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  3. What is a class action and who is involved?

    In a class action lawsuit, one or more people called “Class Representatives”—in this lawsuit four Class Representatives—sue on behalf of other people who have similar legal claims. All of these people are “Class Members” and together form a “Class” or “Classes.” One court resolves the lawsuit for all class members, except for those who exclude themselves. The Class Representatives who sued—and all the Class Members like them—are called Plaintiffs. The entity they sued (in this lawsuit, Google) is called the defendant.

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  4. Are there any money or benefits available now?

    No money or benefits are available now. The Court has not decided whether Google did anything wrong, and Plaintiffs and Google have not settled the lawsuit. There is no guarantee money or benefits will be obtained in the future. You will be notified if money or benefits become available.

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Who is a Class Member

  1. Am I part of this class action lawsuit?

    You are a Class Member if you meet one or more of the definitions below, as certified by the Court:

    Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (“CDAFA”)

    For the alleged violation of the CDAFA, the Court certified the following classes:

    Class 1: All individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running the Android operating system, because of the Firebase Software Development Kit (“SDK”) and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.

    Class 2: All individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024 (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running a non-Android operating system, because of the Firebase SDK and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.

    Invasion of Privacy and Intrusion Upon Seclusion

    For the alleged invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion legal claims, the Court certified the same Class 1 and Class 2 but excluded individuals who only have an “Enterprise” account or “supervised Google Account for users under age 13” (also known as a “Unicorn” account). An “Enterprise” account is an account managed by an administrator that is designed for use by end users within an organization, such as businesses, non-profits, and schools. A “supervised Google Account for users under age 13” is an account created for a minor when they are under the age of 13, which is created and supervised by a parent using Google Family Link.

    Class 1: All “non-Enterprise” and “non-Unicorn” individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running the Android operating system, because of the Firebase Software Development Kit (“SDK”) and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.

    Class 2: All “non-Enterprise” and “non-Unicorn” individuals who, during the period beginning July 1, 2016 and continuing through September 23, 2024, (a) had their “Web & App Activity” and/or “supplemental Web & App Activity” setting turned off and (b) whose activity on a non-Google-branded mobile app was still transmitted to Google, from (c) a mobile device running a non-Android operating system, because of the Firebase SDK and/or Google Mobile Ads SDK.

    Individuals who signed up for an account type other than an Enterprise or supervised Google Account for users under age 13 could be included for all three legal claims. These individuals could be Class Members for both the invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion classes and the CDAFA classes.

    If you are a child for whom a supervised Google Account for users under age 13 was created, please discuss this Notice with your parent or guardian to help you decide whether you may be a Class Member. If you are a parent or guardian supervising a Google Account for users under age 13, and if Google’s records indicate your child may be a Class Member, you will receive a separate Notice. Please review that Notice with your child to help them decide whether they may be a Class Member.

    It is possible for you to be a Class Member of one or more of these certified classes.

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  2. Are Enterprise and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 included in the Classes for the legal claims for invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion?

    No. Although these accounts may have been eligible to be included in the Classes certified for these legal claims, the Court later granted Google’s request to exclude Enterprise accounts and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 from the invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion Classes. Enterprise and supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 are still included in the Classes certified for violations of the CDAFA.

    The Court has not decided whether individuals with Enterprise accounts or supervised Google Accounts for users under age 13 have valid legal claims for alleged violations for invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion. However, it has determined that those individuals cannot be a part of the existing Classes for the legal claims for alleged violations of invasion of privacy and intrusion upon seclusion. You may hire your own lawyer at your expense if you decide to pursue your own lawsuit.

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  3. How do I know if my Web & App Activity and/or supplemental Web & App Activity settings were turned off between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024?

    Based on Google’s records, individual Notice is being sent directly to available email addresses for individuals whose Google Web & App Activity and/or supplemental Web & App Activity settings were turned off or “paused” at least once between July 1, 2016, and September 23, 2024.

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  4. Are there exceptions to the persons or entities included as Class Members?

    Yes. Certain individuals and entities are excluded from the Classes. These include:

    • The Court (including Chief Judge Richard Seeborg, Magistrate Judge Alex G. Tse, jurors in any trial, and their family members);
    • Google, its subsidiaries, parents, predecessors, successors, and assigns, including any entity in which they have a controlling interest, as well as these entities’ officers, directors, employees, affiliates, and legal representatives;
    • People whose legal claims in this matter have already been finally adjudicated on the merits or otherwise released, meaning decided by a court or settled;
    • Plaintiffs’ counsel, Class Counsel, and Google’s counsel;
    • All persons and entities who submit a timely and valid request to opt out of the lawsuit (FAQ 11 provides more information on how to do this); and
    • The legal representatives, successors, and assigns of any of the above excluded individuals and entities.
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  5. If I am still not sure if I am a Class Member, who should I contact?

    If you’re still not sure whether you are a Class Member, please review this website, call the Notice Administrator toll-free at 1-855-822-8821, or write to: Rodriguez v Google, P.O. Box 2749, Portland, OR 97208-2749

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Your Rights and Options

  1. What happens if I do nothing at all?

    If you do nothing, you will remain a Class Member. If Plaintiffs obtain money or benefits from this lawsuit—as a result of a trial or a settlement—you may receive a payment or benefits in the future. If you do nothing now, regardless of whether Plaintiffs win or lose, you will be legally bound by all Court orders and judgments regarding the legal claims in this lawsuit. You will lose the right to bring or maintain a separate lawsuit against Google for the legal claims alleged in this lawsuit.

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Excluding Yourself from the Lawsuit

  1. What happens if I ask to be excluded?

    If you exclude yourself (or “opt out”) from the Class or Classes, you will not receive any money or benefits as a result of a trial or settlement. If you exclude yourself, you will not be legally bound by the Court’s orders and judgments in this lawsuit and you may pursue your own lawsuit against Google for legal claims in this lawsuit. You may hire your own lawyer at your expense if you decide to pursue your own lawsuit. If you exclude yourself so you can start or continue your own lawsuit against Google, you should talk to your own lawyer soon, because your legal claims may be subject to filing deadlines.

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  2. How do I ask to be excluded?

    To exclude yourself, you must send a written request by mail stating that you want to be excluded from Rodriguez v. Google LLC. You must include your name, address, telephone number, email address, and your signature. You must mail your exclusion request postmarked by February 20, 2025, to:

    Rodriguez v. Google Exclusions
    P.O. Box 2749
    Portland, OR 97208-2749

    You cannot exclude yourself on the phone or by email. To exclude yourself, you must do so individually and separately; no consolidated, group, or mass requests for exclusion will be accepted.

    If you timely ask to be excluded, you will not be legally bound by anything that happens in this lawsuit. You may be able to sue (or continue to sue) Google in the future regarding the legal claims in this lawsuit.

    If you do not exclude yourself, you will remain a Class Member and be bound by the orders of the Court in this lawsuit.

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The Lawyers Representing You

  1. Do I have a lawyer in this lawsuit?

    Yes. The Court has appointed the following lawyers as Class Counsel to represent Class Members. If you have questions, you can reach Class Counsel by calling 1-888-884-5720 or by sending an email to: ClassCounsel@GoogleWebAppActivityLawsuit.com.

    Mark C. Mao
    Beko Reblitz-Richardson
    BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
    44 Montgomery St., 41st Floor
    San Francisco, CA 94104

    James Lee
    BOIES SCHILLER FLEXNER LLP
    100 SE 2nd St., 28th Floor
    Miami, FL 33131

    John A. Yanchunis
    Ryan J. McGee
    MORGAN & MORGAN
    201 N. Franklin Street, 7th Floor
    Tampa, FL 33602

    Bill Carmody
    SUSMAN GODFREY LLP
    1301 Avenue of the Americas
    32nd Floor
    New York, NY 10019

    Amanda Bonn
    SUSMAN GODFREY LLP
    1900 Ave. of the Stars, Suite 1400
    Los Angeles, California 90067


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  2. How will the lawyers be paid?

    If there is a judgment against Google or a settlement in the future, Class Counsel will ask the Court to approve and award attorneys’ fees and expenses. The amount of these attorneys’ fees and expenses will ultimately be determined by the Court. You will not have to personally pay the attorneys’ fees and expenses. If the Court grants Class Counsel’s request, the attorneys’ fees and expenses will either be deducted from any money obtained for the Class Members or paid separately by Google.

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  3. Are the Class Representatives paid?

    Class Counsel may ask for service awards for the Class Representatives if there is a judgment or settlement in the future. The service awards would be in addition to Class Representatives’ rights as a Class Member to receive a portion of the money or benefit resulting from any such judgment or settlement. The amount of these awards, if any, will ultimately be determined by the Court.

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  4. Should I get my own lawyer?

    You have the right to hire and appear through your own lawyer, but you do not have to do so. Class Counsel is working on behalf of all Class Members as a whole. If you hire your own lawyer, you will have to pay for your lawyer on your own.

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  5. What if I already have my own lawyer?

    If you have already hired your own lawyer, you should contact your lawyer directly with any questions as to whether this Notice applies to you and how to proceed.

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Getting More Information

  1. Where do I get more information?

    This Notice summarizes the Court’s recent decision to certify the lawsuit as a class action. Key dates and important documents related to the lawsuit can be found on this website. For additional assistance, please contact the Notice Administrator by calling, toll-free, 1-855-822-8821, or writing to Rodriguez v Google, P.O. Box 2749, Portland, OR 97208-2749. If you want to communicate with Class Counsel, you may contact them directly. Contact information for Class Counsel is provided in FAQ 13. You may also hire your own lawyer at your own expense.

    You may also obtain information regarding the lawsuit on the Court docket in this lawsuit, for a fee, through the Court’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov or by visiting the office of the Clerk of the Court for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Phillip Burton Federal Building & United States Courthouse, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Court holidays.

    PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK’S OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS LAWSUIT. ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE NOTICE ADMINISTRATOR OR CLASS COUNSEL.

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