Technology Google settles $5bn lawsuit for 'Private Mode' Tracking

[upnorth]

Content source

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67838384

Google has agreed to settle a US lawsuit claiming it invaded the privacy of users by tracking them even when they were browsing in "private mode".

The class action sought at least $5bn (£3.9bn) from the world's go-to search engine and parent company Alphabet. Large technology firms have faced increased scrutiny of their practices in the US and beyond. Lawyers representing Google and its users did not immediately respond to the BBC's requests for comment.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. However, lawyers are expected to present a formal settlement for the court's approval by February 2024. The class action, which was filed by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner in 2020, claimed that Google had tracked users' activity even when they set the Google Chrome browser to "Incognito" mode and other browsers to "private mode".

It said this had turned Google into an "unaccountable trove of information" on user preferences and "potentially embarrassing things". It added that Google could not "continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone". Google said it had been upfront about the data it collected when users viewed in private mode, even if many users assumed otherwise. The search engine said the collection of search history, even in private viewing mode, helped site owners "better evaluate the performance of their content, products, marketing and more".

Google settles $5bn lawsuit for 'private mode' tracking

Large technology firms have faced increased scrutiny of their practices in the US and beyond.

www.bbc.com

 

[vtqhtr413]

Weeks after agreeing to settle a lawsuit that accused Google of illegally tracking browsing activity even after users activated Chrome’s incognito mode, the company has quietly updated how the browser describes its private browsing feature. The updated text, spotted by MSPowerUser, can be found in the latest Canary build of Google Chrome, version 122.0.6251.0.

Here’s the updated text (emphasis added):

“Others who use this device won’t see your activity, so you can browse more privately. This won’t change how data is collected by websites you visit and the services they use, including Google. Downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved. Learn more”

In contrast, here’s the text Chrome’s current stable version shows when you open a new incognito tab:

“Now you can browse privately, and other people who use this device won’t see your activity. However, downloads, bookmarks and reading list items will be saved. Learn more”

Google quietly updates Chrome’s incognito warning in wake of tracking lawsuit

Websites can still track incognito browsers.

www.theverge.com

 

[Jonny Quest]

Nice verge link, Bryan, okay, @vtqhtr413 If you go to the Incognito image and drag the verticle scroll bar, you can see the before and after text changes.

 

[vtqhtr413]

Nice verge link, Bryan, okay, @vtqhtr413 If you go to the Incognito image and drag the verticle scroll bar, you can see the before and after text changes.

I didn't notice that, interesting formatting but I couldn't steel it and post here

 

[silversurfer]

In December 2023, there was word that Google was in negotiations to try to settle the lawsuit before it officially went to trial. Today, a new report from The Wall Street Journal claims to have some of the conditions of this settlement.

According to the story, Google has agreed to either destroy or de-identify millions of data points it has collected from Chrome users while they used the Incognito mode. The company must update its official disclosures concerning what kinds of data it collects from Chrome and Incognito users.

New report claims Google will get rid of data collected by Chrome's Incognito mode

A new report claims Google has pledged to destroy the data collected by its Chrome web browser when it is in Incognito mode in an effort to settle a lawsuit filed against the company in 2020.

www.neowin.net