Google Privacy Lawsuit Over Incognito Mode Has Been Settled

The Google privacy lawsuit reached a recent settlement and underscores the importance of user privacy and the ongoing debate surrounding it. The lawsuit, initiated by users in 2020, accused the technology behemoth of tracking and storing their data while they were using the “Incognito” mode of the Chrome browser. It claimed to have internal emails from Google executives as evidence. As per the allegations, even in “Incognito” mode, Google was monitoring users’ browsing activities to evaluate web traffic and bolster its ad sales.

“Incognito” mode, also known as privacy mode in Chrome, should in theory guarantee its users a veil of privacy by not tracking their search and browsing activities. However, the lawsuit alleged otherwise. The case was progressing toward a 2024 trial, under the supervision of a federal judge in California. Nevertheless, the proceedings have been temporarily suspended to finalize the settlement details, as revealed in a court filing on Thursday.

While the exact terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, the initial complaint suggested compensation ranging from $100 to $1,000 for each plaintiff. Given the volume of potential plaintiffs, possibly in the millions, Google was staring at a potential payout in the billions had they lost the case. When asked to comment, a spokesperson for the tech giant chose to stay silent.

In response to these privacy concerns, Google has recently declared new protective measures for user location data. This comes as major tech companies including Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet (Google’s parent company) find themselves in the regulatory spotlight over alleged infringements of diverse privacy laws. These companies have all been tackled with lawsuits from federal regulators, demanding more transparency and protection for users’ data.

Ensuring users’ privacy is a fundamental responsibility for tech companies. As they continue to face legal challenges, it’s crucial that they revisit their data protocols to provide truly private browsing experiences. As the lawsuit against Google shows, ensuring privacy is not just about ethics — it also has significant financial implications.