Google settles $5 billion privacy lawsuit for alleged tracking in ‘Private Browsing Mode’
Google has reached a preliminary settlement in a consumer privacy lawsuit, initially filed in 2020, where it was accused of tracking user data despite assurances of private browsing.
The settlement, whose figure remains undisclosed, addresses allegations that “millions of individuals” were affected.
The class action lawsuit asserted that Google’s actions violated users’ privacy by intentionally deceiving them while they engaged in “private browsing mode” on Google Analytics or Ad Manager without logging into their Google accounts.
Plaintiffs sought a substantial compensation of at least $5,000 for each user reportedly tracked, translating to a staggering $5 billion.
The court filing confirmed the preliminary agreement, but both Google and the consumers’ legal representatives have not yet commented on the settlement.
The lawsuit, taking place in a California court, accused Google and its employees of wielding an unprecedented level of control over users’ lives, interests, and internet habits.
The original complaint painted a vivid picture of Google as an “unaccountable trove of information” with the capability to gather intricate details beyond what George Orwell could have imagined.
While the exact settlement amount remains undisclosed, a formal settlement is anticipated to undergo court approval by February 24, 2024.
