Google Settles $5 Billion Lawsuit Accusing It of Tracking Incognito Users

In a significant development, Google has agreed to settle a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of tracking Chrome users’ activities even when they were using Incognito mode. The lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2020, sought $5 billion in damages. However, neither the details of the settlement nor the amount Google will pay have been disclosed.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit claimed that Google used various tools, including its Analytics product, apps, and browser plug-ins, to monitor users. They argued that by tracking users in Incognito mode, Google was deceiving people into thinking they could control the information they shared with the company. In response, a Google spokesperson stated that while Incognito mode does not save a user’s activity on their device, websites can still collect information during the session.

The lawsuit presented internal emails that allegedly showed conversations between Google executives, proving that the company monitored Incognito browser usage to sell ads and track web traffic. The complaint accused Google of violating federal wire-tapping and California privacy laws. The plaintiffs sought up to $5,000 per affected user, claiming that millions of people who used Incognito mode since 2016 had likely been impacted.

Although the details of the settlement have not been made public, both parties have agreed on the terms, which will be presented to the court for approval in February. Google has not yet provided an official statement regarding the settlement, but it is expected that the company will pay a lower amount than the initial $5 billion demanded by the plaintiffs.

This settlement highlights the growing concerns surrounding online privacy and the need for tech companies to be transparent about their data collection practices. As more lawsuits are filed against tech giants for alleged privacy violations, it remains to be seen how these cases will shape the future of online privacy and data protection.