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Quick money against Google & Meta—is it really worth it?
According to a report by t3n, an offer is currently circulating online that sounds too good to be true: anyone who assigns their claims against Meta or Google will receive up to €90 immediately into their account. No paperwork, no waiting time, no risk. Sounds convenient—but also a bit like a bad deal. Because what's really happening here is that you're selling your rights. For a fraction of what you could ultimately get.
The providers behind this—such as Privacy Reclaim—purchase users' legal claims for damages because tech giants such as Meta, Google, and Amazon are apparently not handling our data entirely appropriately. Billions have already been paid out in the US. And things are also happening in Germany: consumer protection organizations have recently been allowed to file so-called remedial actions. If successful, all those affected automatically receive money—free of charge, without a lawyer, and without risk. The only catch: it takes time.
Big money for those who are patient?
A glance at the courtrooms shows how much users can ultimately gain: in individual cases, Meta has already been ordered to pay compensation of between €1,500 and €5,000. It should be noted that this is not guaranteed, and the proceedings can drag on. But those who are willing to wait have a good chance of receiving many times the amount of a quick payout.
And best of all: anyone who joins the class action lawsuit brought by the consumer protection association or consumer center will not pay a cent—neither in advance nor afterwards. If Meta is ordered to pay, the money will go directly to the accounts of those affected. No deductions, no hidden fees.
So why instant payouts at all?
Providers such as Privacy Reclaim are speculating that many people would rather take €50 or €90 now than wait years for uncertain compensation. This is legal, but also quite cleverly calculated. Because they are taking on the risk—and, if the lawsuit is successful, they could potentially pocket tens of thousands in damages. For users, this means a short-lived windfall, but a big chunk of missed opportunity.
Law professor Astrid Stadler sums it up: "Anyone who is not in urgent need of the money should join the class action lawsuit. This will give you the chance to get significantly more."
Critical assessment
Anyone who gives up their rights for €90 is not only selling their claims—they are also selling their power. Meta & Co. would be delighted if we all relinquished our rights so cheaply. Sure, quick money is tempting. But if you exercise a little patience, you can send a much stronger message: against data misuse. For responsibility. And perhaps—with a little luck—also for a healthy balance in your bank account.
Source: t3n.de
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