Google, accused of tracking private browsing user data in ‘Incognito’ mode, settles $5-billion lawsuit
Google has agreed to settle a major lawsuit. This lawsuit accused the Alphabet company of secretly monitoring the online activities of countless individuals. These individuals believed they were browsing the internet in private.
The trial was initially scheduled for February 5, 2024. However, it was put on hold by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. This delay occurred after Google and the consumer plaintiffs announced an initial agreement to settle.
The lawsuit initially sought damages of no less than $5 billion, Reuters reported. Details of the settlement remain under wraps. However, both parties have confirmed reaching a binding agreement through mediation.
Lawyers are likely to present a formal settlement for court approval by February 24, 2024. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that Google's use of analytics, cookies and various apps enabled the company to track user activities. This tracking occurred even when users opted for 'Incognito' mode in Google Chrome or 'private' browsing in other browsers.
This action, according to the plaintiffs, turned Google into an uncontrollable repository of personal information. It allowed Google to acquire insights into the user's personal interests, activities, and even sensitive searches. Judge Rogers, in August, denied Google's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
She indicated that it was unclear whether Google had legally committed not to collect data in private browsing mode. The judge cited Google's privacy policies and other company statements that hint at limitations on data collection. The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, involves a vast number of Google users.
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