Google agrees to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by Google Buzz users.
Google has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by Gmail users
claiming
Google
Buzz violated their privacy.
As part of the settlement, Google said it will create an $8.5 million
fund, with the majority of the money going to organizations focused on Internet
privacy education and policy. In addition, Google pledged to do more
to educate users about the privacy aspects of Buzz.
Google made a number of
changes
to improve privacy for Buzz after controversy erupted following
the service's launch in February.
"We are satisfied with the agreement and are glad to move
forward," said a Google spokesperson. "We have always been committed
to offering users transparency and choice in Buzz and all our products, and
will continue to work together with users to provide the best experience
possible."
A federal district court judge granted the settlement
preliminary approval Oct. 7.
"We feel this settlement has many benefits to class members, including
providing a significant amount of money to non-profit groups committed to
educating users about Internet privacy and ensuring that Buzz users can join
this on-line community without compromising their privacy," said Gary E.
Mason, counsel for the plaintiffs in the litigation, in a statement.
The court will consider final approval of the
proposed settlement (PDF) on
Jan. 31, 2011.
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