Incorrectly stored data
Google is deleting information from millions of Chrome users
April 1, 2024 at 10:04 pm
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Because they were browsing in “incognito” mode, many Google Chrome users assumed that their browsing behavior was not being monitored and no data was being stored. But because this is not the case, Google has been accused of misleading. The company now surrenders to the settlement.
Google plans to destroy data that reflects the browsing behavior of millions of users. This is part of a settlement in a lawsuit in which the company was accused of tracking users without their knowledge. The class action lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused Google of misleading users about how Chrome tracks the activities of those who use the private incognito browsing option.
The lawsuit alleged that Google's marketing and privacy notices did not properly inform users of the type of data collected, including details about the websites they visited. The settlement, now filed in federal court in San Francisco, outlines actions the company will take to change its private browsing practices.
50 lawsuits have already been filed
According to court documents, Google agreed to destroy billions of data points it claims it collected illegally. The company should also update information about data collected during private browsing and give users the option to disable third-party cookies in this setting.
The agreement does not provide for compensation for individual users. However, the agreement allows individuals to file claims. Plaintiffs' attorneys have already filed 50 lawsuits in federal court in California.
