Google Agrees to Delete ‘Incognito’ Browsing Data to Settle Class-Action Lawsuit

Google has recently reached a significant settlement in a class-action lawsuit related to its Incognito mode. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that Google surreptitiously collected data from people using its popular Chrome web browser while they were in a private “incognito” browsing mode. Although this mode allows users to turn off data collection, other Google tools used by websites continued to collect their data, including advertising technology.

Here are the key details of the settlement:

Data Deletion: Google has committed to deleting billions of records that reflect users’ private browsing activities. This move aims to address the privacy concerns raised by the lawsuit.
Transparency Improvements: Google has made several changes to its disclosures to clarify how people’s data is collected and what activity is visible to websites when users browse in “incognito” mode.
Blocking Third-Party Cookies: As part of the settlement, Google will allow incognito mode users to block third-party cookies for the next five years. This change enhances user control over their online privacy.
No Monetary Payment: While the plaintiffs initially sought $5 billion in damages, the settlement does not include any monetary payment from Google. Instead, individuals can pursue damages by filing their own complaints against Google in U.S. state courts.
Historic Step: The plaintiffs’ lawyers, led by attorney David Boies, consider this settlement a “groundbreaking” and “historic step.” It requires big tech companies to be transparent about how they collect and use user data.
Significance for Google: Google’s agreement to retroactively delete user information is significant because it directly impacts its lucrative advertising business, which relies on the quality of its search engine.
Regulatory Challenges: This settlement comes at a time when Google faces multiple regulatory challenges both in the U.S. and abroad. Concerns about data privacy and how tech giants handle user data continue to grow.

In summary, Google’s commitment to deleting incognito browsing data represents a crucial development in protecting user privacy. It underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital age.