Google Settles $5 Billion Privacy Lawsuit over Incognito Mode
Google has agreed to settle a privacy lawsuit that alleged the company spied on users in incognito mode for $5 billion. The class-action lawsuit, which was filed in 2020, accused Google of misleading users about the privacy of incognito mode.
According to the lawsuit, Google’s advertising technologies and other techniques continued to track users’ internet activities despite the use of “private” browsing. This meant that users’ information was being collected and stored by Google, even though they believed their privacy was protected.
The plaintiffs argued that Google’s actions amassed a significant amount of information about users, violating their privacy and breaching their trust. The lawsuit sought $5 billion in damages on behalf of users who were affected by Google’s alleged spying.
While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, the agreement is still subject to approval by a federal judge. Lawyers for the plaintiffs anticipate presenting a final settlement agreement to the court by February 24.
Google has not yet provided a comment regarding the settlement. It remains to be seen how this settlement will impact the company’s reputation and future privacy practices.
This news comes at a time when concerns about online privacy have been growing. Users are becoming increasingly aware of the ways in which their personal information is being collected and used by tech companies. Incognito mode is often used by individuals who wish to browse the internet without leaving a trace of their online activity.
The settlement of this lawsuit could potentially lead to changes in Google’s practices and greater transparency around online privacy. It remains to be seen whether this will be a turning point for the company and the industry as a whole.
As the final settlement agreement is presented to the court and more details emerge, it will be interesting to see how this case unfolds and what implications it may have for user privacy and the tech industry as a whole.
