Hubbard vs Google Lawsuit Settlement, $30M for Kids’ Privacy Violations, Claim by January 21, 2026
Google and YouTube agreed to a $30 million settlement for illegally collecting data from children under 13 who watched kids’ content between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020. If you or your child was under 13 and watched children’s content on YouTube during this period, file your claim by January 21, 2026 at YouTubePrivacySettlement.com. No proof of purchase required. Payment amount per person is not yet determined.
Who Can File a Claim?
You qualify if you meet all three requirements:
- Age: You or your child was under 13 years old between July 1, 2013 and April 1, 2020
- Location: You lived in the United States during that time
- Activity: You watched content allegedly directed to children on YouTube
Examples of child-directed content include cartoons, nursery rhymes, children’s songs, toy reviews, and kids’ educational videos.
How Much Will You Get?
The exact payment amount depends on how many valid claims are filed. With 35-45 million children estimated in the class, payments will be divided among all claimants.
The $30 million settlement fund will be distributed pro-rata after deducting:
- Attorney’s fees and costs
- Settlement administration expenses
- Service awards to named plaintiffs
Individual payments likely range from less than $1 to a few dollars per child.
Critical Deadline: January 21, 2026
Claim deadline: January 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Submit online or mail your claim form postmarked by January 21, 2026.
Late claims will not be accepted.
How to File Your Claim
Online (Recommended):
- Go to YouTubePrivacySettlement.com
- Click “File a Claim”
- Enter your information
- Submit by 11:59 PM PST on January 21, 2026
By Mail: Download claim form from YouTubePrivacySettlement.com Mail to: YouTube Privacy Settlement c/o A.B. Data Ltd. P.O. Box 173131 Milwaukee, WI 53217
Must be postmarked by January 21, 2026.
What Information You Need
To file a claim, provide:
- Your name (or your child’s name)
- Contact information
- Confirmation you meet all eligibility requirements
- Parent or guardian signature (if claimant is under 18)
No proof of purchase or viewing history required. You simply attest under penalty of perjury that you meet the requirements.
What Hubbard vs Google Alleged
The lawsuit claimed Google and YouTube violated federal and state privacy laws by:
- Tracking children under 13 without parental consent
- Collecting personal data from kids watching child-directed content
- Using this data for targeted advertising
- Violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Named plaintiff Nichole Hubbard sued on behalf of her child and all similarly affected children.
Case Details
Case Name: Nichole Hubbard et al. v. Google LLC et al. Case Number: 5:19-cv-07016-SVK Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Judge: Susan van Keulen Filed: November 2019 Preliminary Approval: September 23, 2025 Final Approval Hearing: To be scheduled
What Google Says
Google denies any wrongdoing. The company agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of continued litigation.
Google maintains it complied with COPPA and did not intentionally target children under 13 for data collection.
Timeline of the Case
November 2019: Lawsuit filed alleging COPPA violations
2019-2024: Six years of litigation and discovery
2025: Settlement negotiations concluded
September 23, 2025: Judge grants preliminary approval of $30M settlement
October-November 2025: Class notices mailed and settlement website launched
January 21, 2026: Claim deadline
Spring 2026: Final approval hearing expected
Summer 2026: Payments distributed (estimated 60-90 days after final approval)
How This Settlement Works
After the January 21, 2026 deadline:
- Settlement administrator reviews all claims
- Invalid or fraudulent claims are rejected
- Court holds final approval hearing
- If approved, settlement becomes final
- Payments mailed approximately 60-90 days later
- All payments issued via check or electronic transfer
What Happens If You Don’t File?
If you don’t file a claim by January 21, 2026:
- You receive no payment from the settlement
- You’re still bound by the settlement terms
- You give up your right to sue Google separately for these privacy violations
Filing a claim is the only way to receive compensation.
Can You Opt Out?
Yes. If you want to preserve your right to sue Google separately, you must exclude yourself by the opt-out deadline.
Check YouTubePrivacySettlement.com for opt-out instructions and deadlines.
By opting out, you give up your right to a settlement payment but can pursue your own lawsuit.
Can You Object?
Yes. Class members can object to the settlement terms by submitting written objections before the deadline.
Objections must explain why you believe the settlement is unfair, unreasonable, or inadequate.
Check the settlement website for objection deadlines and procedures.
What Data Did Google Collect?
According to the lawsuit, Google collected:
- Video viewing history
- Device identifiers
- IP addresses
- Location information
- Search queries
- Browsing behavior
This data was allegedly used to build advertising profiles and serve targeted ads to children under 13.
COPPA Requirements
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act requires websites to:
- Get verifiable parental consent before collecting data from children under 13
- Provide notice about data collection practices
- Allow parents to review and delete their children’s information
- Maintain reasonable data security
Plaintiffs claimed Google failed to get proper parental consent.
Previous Google Privacy Issues
This isn’t Google’s first children’s privacy settlement:
2019: Google paid $170 million to the FTC and New York State for COPPA violations on YouTube
2024: Multiple states investigated Google’s data practices affecting minors
2025: This $30 million private class action settlement
Who Are the Attorneys?
Class Counsel:
Steven L. Bloch Silver Golub & Teitell LLP
Jonathan K. Levine Pritzker Levine LLP
Defense Counsel:
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Settlement Administrator Contact
Questions about your claim:
Phone: 1-877-390-3347 (toll-free) Email: [email protected] Website: YouTubePrivacySettlement.com
Mail: YouTube Privacy Settlement c/o A.B. Data Ltd. P.O. Box 173131 Milwaukee, WI 53217
Important Reminders
✅ Deadline is firm: January 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
✅ No proof needed: Just attest you meet requirements
✅ One claim per child: Don’t file multiple claims for the same person
✅ Parent must sign: If claimant is under 18, parent or guardian must complete the form
✅ Update contact info: Tell the administrator if your address changes
✅ Penalty of perjury: False claims can result in legal consequences
How This Affects Future Privacy Cases
The Hubbard settlement represents one of the largest private class actions for children’s online privacy violations.
It demonstrates:
- COPPA enforcement through private lawsuits, not just FTC action
- Tech companies face real financial consequences for children’s data collection
- Parents can hold platforms accountable for privacy violations affecting minors
What to Do Right Now
If you qualify:
- Go to YouTubePrivacySettlement.com immediately
- File your claim before January 21, 2026
- Keep confirmation email or claim number
- Update your contact info if it changes
- Wait for payment after final approval (estimated summer 2026)
If unsure if you qualify:
Read the FAQ section on YouTubePrivacySettlement.com or call 1-877-390-3347 to ask questions before filing.
Do not file a fraudulent claim—you’re submitting under penalty of perjury and harming other eligible class members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t remember if my child watched YouTube during this time?
If your child was under 13 and had access to YouTube between 2013-2020, they likely watched some child-directed content. The settlement doesn’t require proof.
Can I file for multiple children?
Yes. File a separate claim for each child who qualifies.
What if my child is now over 18?
They can file their own claim as adults. If they’re still under 18, a parent must file.
Do I need my YouTube account login?
No. No account information or viewing history is required.
What if I already received a notice in the mail?
File your claim online or return the mailed form by January 21, 2026.
Will this affect my YouTube account?
No. Filing a claim doesn’t affect your ability to use YouTube.
Can I sue Google separately after filing a claim?
No. By participating in the settlement, you release your right to sue Google for these specific privacy violations.
What if I opt out?
You preserve your right to sue separately but receive no settlement payment.
When will I get paid?
Approximately 60-90 days after the court grants final approval, estimated summer 2026.
File your claim now at YouTubePrivacySettlement.com before January 21, 2026
This article provides general information about the Hubbard vs Google settlement and should not be considered legal advice.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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