Google Play Children’s Privacy Settlement: Families May Be Eligible for Payments From an $8.25 Million Fund
A new Google Play children’s privacy settlement is now open for claims, and families may want to pay attention before the deadline passes.
The settlement involves allegations that Google collected personal information from children under 13 through certain Google Play apps without proper parental consent. The lawsuit claimed this violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, also known as COPPA, along with state privacy laws.
Google denies the allegations and does not admit wrongdoing. However, the company has agreed to create an $8.25 million settlement fund to resolve the case.
The new open class action settlement is currently open for claims, and eligible class members may receive an estimated payment of about $40 to $200, depending on how many valid claims are submitted.
The case is titled A.B., et al. v. Google LLC, et al., Case No. 5:23-cv-03101, and is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The settlement class generally includes people in the United States who were under 13 years old when they downloaded or used an app from Google Play between April 1, 2015 and the present, and whose personal information was allegedly collected, used, or disclosed.
One of the biggest things about this settlement is that it is a no-proof settlement. That means claimants do not need to provide receipts, screenshots, app records, or other documents showing exactly which apps they used.
However, no-proof does not mean anyone should file casually. Claimants must still submit truthful information under penalty of perjury. If the class member is still a minor, a parent or legal guardian must submit the claim on their behalf.
The claim deadline is September 14, 2026. The final approval hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2026.
Payments will not go out immediately after the claim deadline. If the court grants final approval and there are no appeals or delays, payments would likely be distributed later, potentially in late 2026 or sometime in 2027.
The estimated payment range is not guaranteed. The settlement fund will be divided among valid claimants after attorneys’ fees, administration costs, and other approved expenses. If fewer people file claims, individual payments may be higher. If more people file, payments may be lower.
Families should also be careful about scams. Filing a legitimate class action claim should be free. No one should ask for a payment, full Social Security number, credit card number, or banking password to “release” settlement money.
This case is also part of a larger trend. Children’s digital privacy has become a major consumer protection issue as apps, advertising networks, device identifiers, and behavioral ad targeting create complicated questions about how children’s information is collected and used online.
For parents, the practical takeaway is simple: check whether you or your child may qualify, review the official settlement details, and submit a claim before September 14, 2026 if eligible.