Google settles $5 billion lawsuit over alleged privacy invasion in 'private mode'

Google has reached a settlement in a US lawsuit accusing the tech giant of invading users’ privacy by tracking their activities even when using the “private mode” feature. The class action, seeking at least $5 billion, targeted Google and its parent company Alphabet, amid growing scrutiny of technology firms’ practices in the US and globally. The legal proceedings, filed by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner in 2020, claimed that Google tracked users’ actions despite settings such as “Incognito” mode on Google Chrome or “private mode” on other browsers. The lawsuit argued that this turned Google into an “unaccountable trove of information” on user preferences, potentially revealing embarrassing details. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who had previously denied Google’s attempt to dismiss the case, postponed the trial after lawyers reported a preliminary settlement. The terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, with a formal presentation expected for court approval by February 2024. Google defended its data collection practices, asserting transparency about collected information even in private viewing modes. The company stated that gathering search history, even in private mode, aided site owners in assessing content, products, and marketing performance. This settlement follows Google’s recent $700 million agreement to resolve a lawsuit from US states accusing the company of anti-competitive practices related to its Play Store on Android devices. Additionally, Google faced legal challenges over its search and digital advertising practices, including a notable case against Fortnite maker Epic Games, where the tech giant lost a 2020 court battle.