In a significant development, Google, the tech giant behind the widely-used Chrome browser, has reached a preliminary settlement in a lawsuit accusing the company of covertly tracking the online activities of millions of users who believed they were browsing privately. The settlement comes as a response to a proposed class action that sought damages of at least $5 billion.
Background: The Allegations
Users accused Google of employing various tracking methods, including analytics, cookies, and apps, to monitor their internet usage even when utilizing privacy features like “Incognito” mode on Chrome or the “private” browsing mode on other browsers. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, claimed that Google’s actions transformed it into an “unaccountable trove of information,” collecting data about users’ friends, hobbies, favorite foods, shopping habits, and potentially embarrassing online searches.
Legal Proceedings: Judge’s Decision
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, halted the scheduled trial set for February 5, 2024, after Google and the plaintiff consumers’ lawyers reached a preliminary settlement. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the parties involved have agreed to a binding term sheet through mediation. A formal settlement is expected to be presented for court approval by February 24, 2024.
Google’s Defense and Court Ruling
Google attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed in August, arguing that it was unclear whether the company had made a legally binding promise not to collect users’ data during private browsing. The judge rejected Google’s bid, citing the company’s privacy policy and other statements that suggested limitations on the information it might collect.
What’s Next?
The settlement marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over user privacy in the digital age. As of now, Google has not provided an official comment on the settlement. Once the formal settlement is presented in court, it will undergo approval procedures. The case, known as Brown et al v Google LLC et al, covers “millions” of Google users since June 1, 2016, and involves alleged violations of federal wire-tapping and California privacy laws.
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Credit: Jonathan Stempel and Aurora Ellis