Google has agreed to settle a lawsuit accusing it of secretly tracking the internet use of millions of people who believed they were browsing privately.
What happened
Google settled a lawsuit alleging it covertly tracked millions of users who believed they were browsing privately, pausing a trial scheduled for February 2024. The lawsuit, seeking $5 billion, led to a preliminary settlement with undisclosed terms, pending formal court approval by February 24, 2024. Plaintiffs claimed Google's tools bypassed "Incognito" or "private" modes, collecting data on personal activities, friends, and interests. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected Google's attempt to dismiss the case in August. She questioned whether Google committed to not collecting data in private mode, referencing the company's privacy policy. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, covered "millions" since June 2016, pursuing damages of at least $5,000 per user, citing federal wiretapping and California privacy laws. Both Google and plaintiff lawyers refrained from making comments on the settlement.
See also: Understanding HIPAA violations and breaches
The backstory
In August 2023, Rogers rejected Google's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, emphasizing Google's lack of clear disclosure regarding data collection, citing its privacy policy and a pilot program paying users for browsing histories as evidence. She asked whether Google made enforceable promises regarding user data collection during private browsing. Google, disputing the claims, clarified its "Incognito" mode's browsing terms in response.
What was said
According to Reuters News, the plaintiffs alleged that Google's tools allowed extensive tracking, turning the company into an “unaccountable trove of information” about users' personal lives and online habits.
The settlement terms have not been disclosed; however, both Google and the plaintiffs’ lawyers said that “they have agreed to a binding term sheet through mediation, and expected to present a formal settlement for court approval by Feb. 24, 2024.”
Why it matters
The settlement indicates the growing scrutiny over tech giants' data collection practices, raising questions about user privacy, transparency, and the adequacy of protections in private browsing modes. It underscores the need for clearer regulations and heightened accountability in safeguarding user data across online platforms.
The bottom line
There is a critical need for increased transparency and accountability in online data practices. The settlement between Google and the plaintiffs underscores the persistent concerns about user privacy breaches, particularly concerning tech giants' data collection methods, even in supposedly private browsing modes.
The settlement serves as a call for action, urging both users and regulators to demand heightened transparency, robust regulations, and stricter adherence to privacy promises in the digital realm. It emphasizes the shared responsibility among tech companies, regulators, and users to safeguard personal data and uphold privacy rights in an increasingly digitized world.
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Tshedimoso Makhene
