Google Resolves $5 Billion Privacy Lawsuit Accusing It of Surveillance on ‘Incognito’ Chrome Users.
In 2020, Google faced a legal challenge alleging the company’s tracking of users’ browser activities even when utilizing the Incognito mode.
After an unsuccessful attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, Google is reportedly set to settle for $5 billion USD (approximately $6.6 billion CAD) in damages, as initially sought in the legal action. While the specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed, Reuters and The Washington Post report that the details will be presented to the court for approval in February.
The lawsuit contends that Google employed various tools, including analytics products, app/browser plugins, and cookies, to monitor users’ browser activities even in Incognito mode. This practice implies a false sense of control over shared information, rendering Incognito Mode less private than advertised.
The legal action presented internal emails from Google executives discussing the use of incognito browser data for advertising purposes. Allegations suggest Google violated U.S. federal wiretapping and California privacy laws, seeking damages of up to $5,000 USD (roughly $6,602 CAD) per affected user.
As of now, neither Google nor the plaintiff consumers’ legal representatives have promptly responded to requests for comment from various publications.
