About the YouTube Face Blur Class Settlement
YouTube and Google have agreed to a $6.02 million settlement over allegations that they collected biometric data through YouTube’s Face Blur tool without asking users first. If you live in Illinois and uploaded videos using Face Blur, you could be eligible for a payout.
What Is the YouTube Face Blur Class Action Lawsuit About?
The lawsuit, Colombo v. YouTube, LLC et al., claims that YouTube collected and stored users’ facial geometry data without getting proper written consent, which plantiffs say violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This law, one of the strictest in the U.S., requires companies to inform people when and why their biometric data (like fingerprints or facial scans) is being collected and how long it will be stored.
Face Blur is supposed to let creators blur faces in their videos for privacy, but the claim is that YouTube still captured biometric information while the tool was being used. Even though YouTube said the feature was designed to enhance privacy, the lawsuit alleges that the underlying technology processed users’ facial data to identify which areas needed to be blurred, an action that typically falls under BIPA’s definition of biometric data collection.
This settlement covers about 16,500 Illinois residents whose videos were allegedly processed with Face Blur. It’s meant to provide fair compensation without requiring participants to go through a long court battle, making the process quick and straightforward.
The case highlights growing concerns about online privacy and the collection of biometric data, and it serves as a reminder to users to understand how their personal information may be used by tech platforms. It also emphasizes how even tools created for protection can raise privacy issues when the technology behind them isn’t fully transparent. For many, the lawsuit serves as a reminder to regularly review the privacy policies of major platforms and stay informed about how personal data may be used, shared, or stored.
Who Qualifies and How Much Can You Claim?
You may qualify for compensation under these circumstances:
- Residency: You must be an Illinois resident.
- YouTube Usage: You uploaded a video to YouTube that was processed using the Face Blur tool.
- Consent: You did not provide written consent for YouTube to collect your biometric data.
- Estimated Payout: Eligible participants are expected to receive around $200 each from the $6.02 million settlement fund.
- Proof Required: You’ll need the email associated with your YouTube account that was used with Face Blur.
Important: The deadline to file a claim is November 30, 2025, so make sure to act before then.
How to Submit Your Claim
To file a claim, visit the YouTube Face Blur BIPA Settlement page. The deadline to submit your claim is November 30, 2025. If you’re an Illinois resident who uploaded videos processed with YouTube’s Face Blur tool, don’t miss your chance to receive compensation for the alleged collection of biometric data without consent.
If you’re eligible, submitting your claim is simple:
- Submit online or by mail: Visit the Submit a Claim page to complete the form online or request a PDF form to submit by mail. Follow the instructions carefully and provide the email associated with the YouTube account that you used Face Blur with. No additional proof is required.
- Deadline: Make sure to submit your claim by November 20, 2025. Claims submitted after this date will generally not be eligible for payout.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may receive roughly $200 in compensation. Payments will be issued after all claims are verified and the court gives final approval.
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