INTUSK MAGAZINE

In order to resolve a lawsuit alleging that it surreptitiously monitored the internet activity of users who believed they were surfing incognito on its Chrome browser, Google agreed to delete billions of data.

Users claimed that Google inappropriately tracked users who switched their Chrome browser to "incognito" mode and other browsers to "private" by using Google's analytics, cookies, and applications.

Individuals said that by allowing Google to learn about their acquaintances, favourite cuisines, pastimes, shopping patterns, and the "most intimate and potentially embarrassing things" individuals look for online, this transformed Google into a "unaccountable trove of information."

As part of the settlement, Google will—as it has already started—update its disclosures on the data it gathers during “private” surfing. For five years, users using incognito mode will be able to disable third-party cookies.

In December, a preliminary settlement was struck, announcing a trial date of February 5, 2024. At the time, terms weren't disclosed. Later on, the plaintiffs' attorneys intend to demand an undisclosed amount of legal expenses from Google. 

The business has dealt with such litigation in the past. "Incognito mode or 'private browsing' is a web browser function that implies to consumers that Google will not track your search history or location activity," according to a lawsuit filed against the firm by the Texas attorney general in 2022.