Epstein victims sue US Justice Department and Google over data exposure

A group of victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has filed a class-action lawsuit against the US Department of Justice and Google, alleging that the release of case files exposed their identities and personal data, according to details reported by NBC News.

The plaintiffs argue that, during the publication of Epstein-related documents, the government prioritized rapid and broad public access over the protection of victims’ privacy. The complaint states that the Justice Department “disclosed the identities and personal data of approximately one hundred victims of a convicted sex offender.”

Personal data remains accessible in search results

While the government subsequently removed personal information from publicly available files, the plaintiffs contend that online platforms such as Google have continued to republish the data and have failed to respond adequately to requests for its removal. According to the filing, victims’ personal details remain visible in search results and in content generated by artificial intelligence systems.

The plaintiffs say the continued exposure has inflicted renewed trauma. “Strangers are contacting victims, sending emails, threatening their physical safety, and accusing them of collaborating with Epstein. In reality, these individuals are his victims,” the complaint states.

Background to the Epstein case

Epstein, a financier, pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges related to operating a prostitution network. He was arrested again in the US in the summer of 2019, facing allegations of trafficking and sexually exploiting underage girls. In August of that year, he died in custody before his trial concluded.

His associate Ghislaine Maxwell was later convicted of assisting in sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The plaintiffs are seeking at least $1,000 in damages for each surviving victim from the Justice Department. They are also calling for “punitive and deterrent” sanctions against Google and requesting a court order compelling the company to permanently delete all personal data related to the victims.

The complaint states that Google possesses the technical capability to remove sensitive personal data in response to legal requests. It argues that the failure to deploy these tools constitutes “irresponsibility, indifference to the welfare of victims, and a conscious choice.”

Removal process ongoing, DoJ says

In a letter sent on February 2 to judges in the Southern District of New York, prosecutor Jay Clayton said the Justice Department was in the process of removing documents containing information that could identify victims. Clayton noted that “thousands of documents and media files” containing potentially identifying details had been deleted due to technical issues or human error.

He added that the department worked continuously over a weekend after initial concerns were raised. The department also said it would safeguard victim privacy under legislation on Epstein file transparency signed by President Donald Trump in November 2025.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer: the state opened the door, Google keeps it open

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Julie Erickson, said no survivor of sexual abuse should have to live with the fear that entering their name into a search engine would expose their past.

“In this case, that is exactly what happened,” Erickson said. “The Justice Department opened the door by exposing victims’ identities. Google, despite being alerted to the harm, continues to keep that door open.”