Google agrees to settle a lawsuit alleging secret internet tracking, promising to delete billions of data records. Get insights into the terms of the settlement, potential damages for users, and Google’s response to the allegations.
The terms of the settlement, filed in an Oakland federal court, require approval by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. While Google will pay no damages, users retain the right to individually sue for compensation. The class action, initiated in 2020, covers millions of users who utilized private browsing since June 1, 2016.
Users accused Google of improperly tracking their internet activity despite using “Incognito” mode on Chrome and similar privacy settings on other browsers. They alleged this allowed Google to amass extensive personal data, including sensitive information.
Under the Lawsuit settlement, Google will enhance disclosures regarding data collection during “private” browsing and enable Incognito users to block third-party cookies for five years, resulting in reduced data collection and potentially lower profits for the tech giant.
Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda refuted the allegations, emphasizing that data collected during Incognito mode is not associated with individual users. The company welcomes the opportunity to delete outdated technical data unrelated to personalization.
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Plaintiffs’ lawyer David Boies hailed the settlement as a milestone in holding tech companies accountable for their practices. A preliminary settlement was reached in December, averting a scheduled trial, with the plaintiffs’ lawyers planning to seek legal fees from Google at a later stage. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and the case is closely monitored for its implications on data privacy and accountability in the tech industry.
