Google has agreed to destroy billions of user data records to settle a lawsuit accusing it of tracking people’s online activity even when they used 'private' browsing modes like Chrome’s Incognito. The settlement, filed in a California federal court, awaits final approval but could reshape how tech giants handle user privacy. 💻🔍
What Happened?
The class-action lawsuit, launched in 2020, claimed Google misled users by collecting data through analytics and cookies despite private browsing settings. Plaintiffs argued this turned Google into a \"privacy nightmare,\" learning everything from shopping habits to \"embarrassing\" search histories. 😬
No Cash Payouts—But Big Changes
While Google isn’t paying direct damages (users can sue individually), it must update its data-collection disclosures and block third-party cookies in Incognito mode for five years. Lawyers estimate the settlement’s value at $5B–$7.8B, calling it a win for \"honesty and accountability\" in tech. 📉
Google’s Response
A Google spokesperson said the lawsuit was \"meritless\" but agreed to delete old technical data \"never used for personalization.\" Meanwhile, privacy advocates hail the deal as a step toward curbing covert data harvesting. The trial, originally set for February 2024, was avoided with this settlement. ⚖️
