“Google Settles ₹41,000 Crore Lawsuit Over ‘Incognito’ Mode Data Tracking Allegations”
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has agreed to a significant settlement in response to allegations claiming the tech giant tracked user data in the ‘Incognito’ mode. The lawsuit, filed in a California court, accused Google of secretly monitoring the online activities of millions who believed their browsing was private. As per Reuters reports, the lawsuit sought a settlement of at least $5 billion, approximately ₹41,000 crore.
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has agreed to a significant settlement in response to allegations claiming the tech giant tracked user data in the ‘Incognito’ mode. The lawsuit, filed in a California court, accused Google of secretly monitoring the online activities of millions who believed their browsing was private. As per Reuters reports, the lawsuit sought a settlement of at least $5 billion, approximately ₹41,000 crore.
While the exact settlement terms remain undisclosed, Google’s attorneys confirmed reaching a binding term sheet through mediation. The formal settlement is anticipated to undergo court approval by February 24, 2024, following a decision by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to halt proceedings pending settlement discussions.
The lawsuit asserted that Google’s actions involved tracking user data, including via Google Analytics, cookies, and applications, while users were browsing in Incognito mode, which is intended to provide private browsing without recording browsing history.
Despite Google’s attempts to dismiss the case, the judge upheld the lawsuit’s claims. It highlighted concerns that Google’s practices converted the company into an “unaccountable trove of information,” accessing users’ personal preferences, interests, shopping habits, and potentially sensitive online inquiries.
The litigation centered on allegations that Google breached privacy assurances by accessing users’ private data without consent, using it to personalize advertisements and content.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, aimed to cover “millions” of Google users from June 1, 2016, seeking damages of at least $5,000 per user for purported violations of federal wiretapping laws and California’s privacy statutes. Judge Rogers scrutinized Google’s privacy policies and statements, questioning the extent of Google’s commitment to refraining from collecting data during private browsing.
The settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over user privacy, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding private browsing expectations in an era where digital data protection remains a contentious issue.
Sources By Agencies
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