Google has agreed to destroy or anonymize billions of records of web browsing data collected while users browsed in "Incognito mode." This settlement comes in response to a class action proposal that was filed, opening a new chapter in the tech giant's privacy policy.
The settlement, proposed in the Brown v. Google case, will not only see sensitive data destroyed, but will also require Google to provide more detailed disclosure about its Incognito data collection practices. Furthermore, it will limit Giigke's future information collection, marking a significant moment for user data protection. If approved by a federal judge in California, the settlement could benefit up to 136 million Google users, underscoring its widespread impact.
This proposal comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed in 2020 by Google users who accused the company of illegally tracking their online activities, even during private browsing. The value of the settlement is estimated at $5 billion, based on the amount of data Google would have to destroy, as well as the information it will now be prevented from collecting.
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Google will have to deal with the data collected in private browsing mode until December 2023 and earlier, ensuring that any data that is not completely removed will be anonymized. This is a major victory for internet privacy, with plaintiffs describing the settlement as "ensuring real accountability and transparency from the world's largest data collector".
José Castañeda, a Google spokesman, expressed the company's satisfaction at ending the lawsuit, which it has always considered unfounded. Although the plaintiffs valued the settlement at $5 billion, the amount initially sought in damages, Castañeda emphasized that they are "getting zero." However, the settlement does not include class damages, although it allows individuals to file separate claims.
Google claims it "never associates data with users when they use Incognito mode" and is committed to deleting old technical data that has never been associated with an individual. Furthermore, as part of the settlement, Google has already begun implementing changes to the way it discloses the limits of its private browsing services in Chrome. The company also agreed to allow users to block third-party cookies by default in Incognito mode for five years, limiting Google's ability to track users on external sites.
While the settlement awaits final approval, individuals may continue to file claims in California state court. So far, 50 claims have been filed, reflecting significant interest and concerns about data privacy in the digital age. This development marks an important step in the fight to protect online privacy, putting Google at the forefront of initiatives to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of its users' data.
