Google has agreed to destroy billions of data records to resolve a lawsuit accusing it of secretly tracking internet usage.
Settlement Terms
The settlement terms were filed in federal court in Oakland, California, requiring approval by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Value of Settlement
Plaintiffs’ lawyers valued the agreement at more than $5 billion and $7.8 billion, with no damages paid by Google. Users retain the right to sue the company individually.
Class Action Background
The class action, initiated in 2020, encompasses millions of Google users who used private browsing since June 1, 2016.
Allegations against Google
Users claimed that Google’s analytics, cookies, and apps improperly tracked individuals using “Incognito” or “private” browsing modes.
Impact on Privacy
This tracking allowed Google to gather extensive personal data, including details on users’ friends, interests, and online searches.
Terms of Settlement
Google will update disclosures regarding data collection in “private” browsing and allow Incognito users to block third-party cookies for five years.
Response from Google
Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated that the company considered the lawsuit meritless and affirmed that data collected during Incognito mode usage is not associated with individual users.
Plaintiffs’ Perspective
Plaintiffs’ lawyer David Boies hailed the settlement as a step toward holding technology companies accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
A preliminary settlement was reached in December, avoiding a scheduled trial. Plaintiffs’ lawyers plan to seek legal fees from Google later.
