Google has agreed to destroy billions of data records that the tech giant “secretly collected” from users who used the ‘Incognito’ mode to browse the internet privately. This decision comes as part of a settlement in a class-action lawsuit that was first filed in 2020, potentially requiring Google to pay USD 5 billion in damages or USD 5,000 per affected user for violations of federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.
The lawsuit, covering millions of Google users who have used private browsing mode since June 1, 2016, alleges that users were misled into believing their online activities were secure while using Google’s ‘Incognito’ mode. The terms of the settlement were filed on Monday at a federal court in Oakland, California, and await approval by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Initially scheduled for trial in February, the lawsuit was diverted by a preliminary settlement reached in December 2023, though the terms were not disclosed at the time. According to a report by Reuters news agency, users alleged that Google’s analytics, cookies, and apps allowed the tech giant to improperly track individuals using Chrome’s ‘Incognito’ mode and other browsers’ ‘private’ browsing modes. This led to concerns that Google had become an “unaccountable trove of information,” gaining insights into users’ personal details, including their friends, hobbies, shopping habits, and potentially sensitive online searches.
As part of the settlement, Google will now be required to disclose what data it collects from “private” browsing and enable “Incognito” users to block third-party tracking cookies by default for the next five years. This move aims to enhance transparency and user control over their online privacy.
David Boies, the plaintiffs’ lawyer, described the settlement as a “historic step in requiring honesty and accountability from dominant technology companies.” Meanwhile, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda reiterated the tech giant’s stance, stating that they had always considered the lawsuit meritless. Castaneda clarified, “We never associate data with users when they use Incognito mode,” as reported by Reuters. Additionally, he mentioned that Google is pleased to settle the lawsuit and is committed to deleting old technical data that was never linked to an individual or used for personalization.
This settlement highlights the ongoing concerns and debates surrounding online privacy, especially regarding how tech companies handle user data. It also reflects the push for greater transparency and accountability from major technology firms. The final approval of the settlement by the court will mark a significant development in the protection of user privacy rights in the digital age.
