In an important turn of events, Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has opted to settle a substantial lawsuit alleging that the tech giant spied on private user data during ‘Incognito’ mode browsing, as reported by Reuters.
The class action lawsuit, filed against Google, accused the company of covertly tracking the internet activities of millions who believed they were browsing privately.
While the specific terms remain undisclosed, the class action sought a payment of at least $5 billion, exceeding INR 41,000 crore. Google’s legal representatives stated they reached a binding term sheet through mediation, with plans to present a formal settlement for court approval by February 24, 2024.
The case alleged that Google, through Google Analytics, cookies, and apps, surreptitiously tracked user data in Incognito mode, a feature marketed as providing a private browsing experience without storing cookies.
The individual filing the class action claimed that Google accessed private data through Incognito mode, tailoring advertisements based on personal preferences. Despite Google’s attempts to dismiss the lawsuit, the judge rejected the motion.
The lawsuit contended that Google’s actions transformed the company into an “unaccountable trove of information,” enabling it to learn about users’ friends, hobbies, favorite foods, shopping habits, and potentially embarrassing online searches.
During the legal proceedings, Judge Rogers remarked that it was unclear whether Google had made a legally binding commitment not to collect user data during private browsing. The judge referred to Google’s privacy policy and other company statements implying limitations on the data collected.
Initiated in 2020, the lawsuit encompassed “millions” of Google users since June 1, 2016, and sought damages of at least $5,000 per user for alleged violations of federal wiretapping and California privacy laws, making it one of the most expensive ones in history.
