Google and YouTube say the popular video-sharing platform’s face blur feature was designed to protect user privacy. A recent class action lawsuit paints a different picture, however, claiming the tool collected biometric data without proper notice or user consent.
Plaintiffs assert that the companies’ actions violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and that affected state residents are entitled to compensation for the alleged misuse of their data. YouTube and Google deny any wrongdoing but have agreed to a $6.02 million settlement to resolve the allegations and avoid further litigation.
Illinois residents who uploaded a video to YouTube that used face blur may qualify for an estimated $200 payout.
What Is YouTube Face Blur?
Face blur is a feature available in the YouTube Studio editor that automatically detects faces. It allows users to select a face and apply a blur effect that follows the person’s movement, concealing their identity.
YouTube and Google claim that face blur was designed to protect privacy. At first glance, it appears to be a useful feature—but a class action complaint alleges it isn’t as benign as it seems.
Is Facial Recognition Dangerous?
Plaintiffs say that, despite operating under the guise of data protection, face blur actually endangers user privacy by collecting and storing biometrics.
As reported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, biometric data includes fingerprints, iris patterns, and facial features. The Google privacy class action accuses YouTube of collecting and cataloging the latter, explaining that face blur “relies on state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to scan videos (including those uploaded within the state of Illinois), locate human faces, and create and store scans of face geometry.”
The complaint states that this biometric data “is capable of being used to identify the individuals whose face geometry is scanned,” allegedly by comparing it “against information stored in a ‘faceprint database.’”
Many fear that the storage of facial biometrics could endanger the privacy and well-being of affected consumers. The lawsuit references a 2012 Senate hearing in which Minnesota Senator Al Franken explained how faceprint data could be used to track individuals on the street, identify them on social media, and even “target them for selective jailing and prosecution” for participating in protests.
In Senator Franken’s opinion, the collection of facial data is particularly dangerous due to its permanence. When another personal identifier (like a Social Security Number) is compromised, it can be changed to protect an individual’s privacy. However, stolen facial biometrics cannot be, theoretically leaving impacted individuals perpetually vulnerable to “identity theft and unauthorized tracking.”
The Real-World Impact Of Facial Recognition Technology
Senator Franken’s concerns may sound like science fiction—reputedly, though, they aren’t baseless. A Detroit woman named Porcha Woodruff is just one person who was allegedly wrongly implicated in a crime due to faceprinting.
When she was eight months pregnant, Woodruff was accused of and arrested for carjacking. The basis for the claim? Her photo was flagged by facial recognition technology.
Woodruff’s picture was added to a lineup and falsely chosen by the victim. She was then arrested in front of her children at her home and spent the next ten hours in jail. Without evidence tying her to the crime, she was eventually released from police custody.
The case against her was dismissed, but the trauma of the experience remained. Concerningly, Woodruff’s is just one of many instances involving wrongful arrests after apparent facial recognition software failure.
Google Class Action: Illinois Law’s Stance
The YouTube biometric privacy lawsuit makes serious allegations, including that the defendants deviated from Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommendations by reportedly failing to inform consumers of or obtain consent regarding face blur’s use of biometric data.
The lawsuit states that “the Federal Trade Commission urged companies using facial recognition technology to ask for consent from consumers before ever scanning and extracting biometric data.”
Further, the complaint alleges that YouTube and Google’s actions violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). As ACLU Illinois explains, this law “ensures that individuals are in control of their own biometric data.” It accomplishes this by allowing companies to harvest biometrics, including facial geometry, only if they:
- Disclose to the individual in writing what information will be collected or stored;
- Disclose to the individual in writing specifically how (and for how long) the information will be collected, stored, or used; and
- Obtain written consent from the individual regarding the use of their biometric data.
As the defendants reportedly failed to meet these requirements, plaintiffs say they violated the rights of Illinois residents who used YouTube face blur. Further, they believe compensation is owed to the affected Illinois persons.
Neither YouTube nor Google admits to any wrongdoing, but the companies have decided to settle to resolve the allegations. The proposed settlement totals $6,022,500.
Pending final approval, eligible class members may be able to receive an equal (or pro rata) share of the settlement. A final approval hearing is scheduled for December 30, 2025, at which time the court will decide whether the settlement is fair and reasonable for all parties.
Who Qualifies For The Illinois Biometric Data Lawsuit?
To qualify to submit a YouTube Face Blur claim form, individuals must meet a few requirements. These include:
- You must have used YouTube face blur and uploaded the video to YouTube, and
- You must have been an Illinois resident at the time you did so.
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible to claim a portion of the YouTube $6 million settlement. If in doubt, you may be able to confirm if you used face blur by accessing your YouTube Studio editing history. For full details and to make a claim, you can visit the official settlement page.
Some class members may have already received a settlement notice via email. However, the settlement page advises that any Illinois person who meets the above requirements may qualify, regardless of whether they received an emailed notice. If you are unsure of your eligibility, you can call the Settlement Administrator at 888-777-6502.
All claims must be received by November 30, 2025, to be considered.
Is There Information On Potential Settlement Payouts?
The total settlement fund, which is still pending final approval, is $6,022,500. According to the YouTube BIPA settlement page, class members who make eligible claims could qualify for a pro rata share.
An individual share “is currently estimated to be approximately $200 per person,” according to the settlement page. But claimants should note that final payouts can depend on a number of factors, including the final number of claims, court-approved deductions, attorneys’ fees, and other expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The two tech giants were sued because of YouTube’s face blur, which plaintiffs say used and stored biometric data in a way that violated Illinois law.
Illinois residents who uploaded at least one YouTube video using the face blur feature may qualify to file a claim.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants reportedly violated the Biometric Information Protection Act (BIPA), which prevents companies from collecting and storing facial data without informed user consent.
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