Google has settled a US lawsuit alleging privacy violations for tracking users even when using “private mode” in their browsers. The class action lawsuit demanded a minimum of $5 billion from Google and its parent company, Alphabet, highlighting the intensifying scrutiny large tech firms face in the US and globally.
While lawyers representing Google and the affected users did not immediately comment on the matter, the development follows heightened concerns over user privacy. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had paused a scheduled trial in California after announcing a preliminary settlement. Earlier, Judge Rogers had dismissed Google’s request to drop the case, stating that user consent for data collection during private browsing was not established.
The settlement’s specific terms, which are to be formally presented to the court by February 2024, have not been revealed. Initiated by Boies Schiller Flexner law firm in 2020, the lawsuit accused Google of tracking user activity through its Chrome browser set to “Incognito” mode and other browsers in “private mode,” describing Google as an “unaccountable trove of information.”
Google defended its actions, stating that it was transparent about data collection during private browsing, which contributes to owners’ evaluation of site performance. Incognito mode in Chrome allows users to browse without saving activity to their browser or device. However, websites, including those using Google Analytics, can still track usage.
Besides this lawsuit, Google faces other legal challenges related to its search and digital advertising practices. Recently, Google agreed to pay $700 million to settle a lawsuit accusing it of monopolizing the Play Store on Android devices. This settlement came shortly after Google lost a US court case to Epic Games, which sued Google in 2020 over its app store practices.
