Google has settled a class-action lawsuit by agreeing to pay $391.5 million, marking a landmark privacy case. Filed in 2020, the Incognito lawsuit alleged that Google tracked users even in Incognito mode, designed for private browsing. Although Google denied wrongdoing, the settlement highlights the debate on user privacy and tech giants’ power.
Incognito mode, also referred to as private browsing mode, is a feature provided by most web browsers, enabling users to surf the internet without saving their browsing history. This entails that the websites visited, searches made, and cookies obtained by websites are not retained by the browser.
It is commonly utilized by individuals seeking to maintain the privacy of their browsing activity, such as when exploring sensitive subjects, accessing work emails on personal devices, or orchestrating surprises.
The lawsuit levied against Google contended that even when users operated in Incognito mode, Google persisted in gathering data regarding their browsing behavior. According to the lawsuit, this data collection stored details like the websites visited by users, their IP addresses, and their browsing histories. The lawsuit asserted that such data gathering violated user’s expectations of privacy.
Google, claimed maintaining that Incognito mode operating as intended and not collecting browsing history data but has acknowledged gathering some data even in this mode, such as system logs and data for certain feature’s functionality.
To settle the lawsuit and avoid prolonged legal proceedings, Google agreed to a $391.5 million settlement. This sum will be distributed to plaintiffs who used Google Chrome in Incognito mode in the U.S. between June 2016 and June 2021.
Additionally, as part of the settlement, Google committed to implementing various changes to its Incognito mode, including clearer disclosures, deletion of specific data, and enhanced controls.
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The settlement between Google and the plaintiffs carries significant implications for both user privacy and the trajectory of Incognito mode. It emphasizes the necessity for tech firms to maintain transparency regarding their data collection practices and underscores the power of class-action lawsuits in holding them accountable.
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For users, the settlement indicates forthcoming improvements such as clearer disclosures and the deletion of certain data types within Incognito mode. It also emphasizes the need for users to recognize the limitations of Incognito mode and acknowledge that some data collection may persist even during private browsing.
This settlement is anticipated to have a lasting impact on the utilization of Incognito mode by consumers. Google may implement additional alterations to enhance user privacy and meet the settlement’s requirements in the future.
Consequently, users can anticipate enhanced transparency from Google concerning data collection practices and greater control over the information collected in Incognito mode.
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