Class-Action Lawsuit Filed by Epstein Survivors Against Trump Administration and Google
A group of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein has initiated a class-action lawsuit against both the Trump administration and Google, following the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal information. This information became publicly available with the release of files related to the late sex offender in recent months.
Allegations of Privacy Violations by the Justice Department
The plaintiffs assert that the Department of Justice made a conscious decision to prioritize rapid disclosure over the privacy of Epstein’s survivors. They claim that the government “released nearly 100 survivors of a convicted sex offender, releasing their personal information and revealing their identities to the world.”
Challenges with Online Disclosure Persist
While the government has removed survivors’ personal information from the published files, the lawsuit notes that online platforms such as Google continue to circulate this sensitive data. The plaintiffs report that their personal information remains visible in search engine results and AI-generated content, despite requests for its removal.
Impact on Survivors’ Well-Being
The complaint states that survivors now confront new traumas, with unsolicited calls, emails, and threats challenging their safety. They express concern over being falsely accused of collusion with Epstein, when they are, in fact, his victims.
Responses from Government and Google Awaited
As of Thursday evening, neither the Justice Department nor Google had responded to media inquiries regarding the lawsuit. Earlier, on February 2, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton communicated with Judges Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer, indicating that the Justice Department was “moving forward” with efforts to remove documents that contained victim-identifying information.
Efforts to Mitigate Disclosure Under the Epstein File Transparency Act
In the same letter, Clayton emphasized that the department was working diligently to address the concerns of victims. He noted that thousands of documents had been removed that may have inadvertently disclosed victim information, attributing these lapses to technical and human errors. The department is actively evaluating and improving its procedures to ensure compliance with the Epstein File Transparency Act, signed into law by President Trump in November.
Plaintiffs Request Damages and Immediate Action from Google
The plaintiffs are seeking at least $1,000 in damages for each survivor and additional punitive damages against Google, aimed at holding the company accountable for its actions. Furthermore, they are urging the court to mandate that Google immediately and permanently delete the survivors’ personal information from its platforms.
Google’s Refusal and Legal Allegations
The survivors argue that Google possesses the technical capability to remove sensitive information in response to legal demands, yet its refusal to do so demonstrates a reckless disregard for the victims’ well-being. They indicate that despite notifying Google multiple times about the unauthorized disclosures, the content remains accessible on the platform.
Legal Grounds for the Lawsuit
The lawsuit contends that the Justice Department violated the Privacy Act of 1974 by disclosing personal information without consent. Additionally, plaintiffs have leveled a civil lawsuit against Google for breaching California’s unfair competition law, invasion of privacy, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violations of state civil laws concerning personal information disclosure.
Statements from Legal Advocates
Julie Erickson, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, emphasized that no survivor of sexual abuse should fear that their name could lead to public knowledge of their trauma. She remarked, “The Department of Justice opened the door by illegally disclosing victim-identifying information, but Google left that door wide open, even though it was warned of the harm it was causing.”
