GOOGLE SETTLES CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT, COMMITS TO DELETING INCOGNITO MODE BROWSING DATA
Google has resolved a class-action lawsuit, committing to erasing millions of records of users’ browsing activities associated with its Incognito mode. The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, alleged Google of secretly collecting data from individuals utilizing its Chrome web browser in Incognito mode, allegedly without consent.
As per revelations in a San Francisco federal court filing, Google has agreed to delete “billions” of data records linked to users’ private browsing sessions.
The settlement also imposes several alterations to Google’s disclosures regarding data collection practices, especially in clarifying the visibility of user activity on websites during Incognito browsing. Furthermore, Google has committed to allowing Incognito mode users to block third-party cookies for the next five years.
Jose Castaneda, a Google spokesperson, expressed the company’s satisfaction with the settlement, dismissing the lawsuit as “meritless.” Castaneda underscored Google’s commitment to user privacy, asserting that data collected during Incognito mode usage was never tied to individual users and would be deleted as part of the settlement.
Despite the plaintiffs’ initial demand for $5 billion in damages, the settlement does not include monetary compensation from Google. Instead, individuals retain the option to pursue damages by lodging their own complaints against the tech giant in U.S. state courts. Already, approximately 50 individuals have initiated such claims, according to plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Attorney David Boies, representing the plaintiffs, hailed the settlement as “ground-breaking,” affirming its significance in pushing tech companies to be transparent about data collection and usage practices. The agreement to retroactively delete user information represents a remarkable concession from Google, given the importance of user data to its advertising business.
The settlement also averted a trial scheduled for February, a critical development for Google as it faces multiple legal challenges. These include a jury trial in an antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Justice Department and state attorneys general, scheduled for September.
Another lawsuit from Texas and other states, challenging Google’s ad tech practices, is slated for March 2025. Additionally, a federal antitrust trial alleging Google’s monopoly in the online search market is ongoing in Washington.
The settlement highlights the ongoing debate surrounding consumer privacy and data protection in the digital realm, a significant precedent for holding industry giants accountable for managing user information.
Source: Techeconomy
