No. 17-961October Term 2018Decided Mar 20, 2019
Frank v. Gaos
This case arose from a privacy class action against Google over allegations that it shared users’ search terms with third-party websites.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released Mar 20, 2019
- What it's about
This case arose from a privacy class action against Google over allegations that it shared users’ search terms with third-party websites. The Supreme Court did not decide whether the settlement was proper; instead, it vacated the Ninth Circuit’s approval of a settlement that paid only cy pres recipients and sent the case back to consider whether the named plaintiffs had Article III standing under Spokeo.
Question presented
Whether, or in what circumstances, a cy pres award of class action proceeds that provides no direct relief to class members supports class certification and comports with the requirement that a settlement binding class members must be "fair, reasonable, and adequate."?
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released Mar 20, 2019
- Area
Decided Supreme Court case
Timing
Decided March 20, 2019
The Court released its decision on March 20, 2019 without hearing oral argument.
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Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 3, 2026
- Method
- Methodology