Google agreed to delete the browsing data that contains the web browsing histories of millions of users. This is part of a settlement of a lawsuit that alleged Google tracked people without their knowledge.
The lawsuit claimed that Google tracked millions of users who thought they were browsing the web privately. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 covering millions of users who used incognito mode since June 1, 2016.
In Oakland, California federal court filed the terms of settlement on Monday. The lawyers of the plaintiff valued the information at more than $5 billion. However, the users will not receive any damages. They can file individually for damages.
In this lawsuit, users alleged that Google’s Analytics, cookies, and apps let the company track people who use incognito or private browsing modes.
With this settlement, Google will update its terms of use and disclose what it collects in private browsing. And most importantly, it will also let incognito users block third-party cookies for a period of five years.
With this approach, Google will collect less data and make less money. According to the court papers, Google is happy with the final approval of the settlement but disagrees with the “legal and factual characterizations” from plaintiffs.
Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said the company was pleased to settle the lawsuit. He also added, “We never associate data with users when they use Incognito mode. We are happy to delete old technical data that was never associated with an individual and was never used for any form of personalization.”
“A historic step in requiring honesty and accountability from dominant technology companies,” said David Boies, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, in a statement.
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