Google Settles $5 Billion Lawsuit Alleging Chrome's 'Incognito' Mode Tracks Users

 

The Settlement

Google has agreed to settle a $5 billion lawsuit alleging that the company's Chrome browser tracks users even when they are in "incognito" mode. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2020, claimed that Google misled users into believing that their browsing activity would not be tracked when they used incognito mode.

The settlement amount is one of the largest ever in a privacy lawsuit. It is also a significant victory for privacy advocates, who have long been concerned about Google's data collection practices.

The Allegations

The lawsuit alleged that Google tracks users in incognito mode through a variety of methods, including:

• Collecting browsing history: Google allegedly collects a list of websites that users visit in incognito mode.
• Tracking IP addresses: Google can track users' IP addresses even when they are in incognito mode.
• Using cookies: Google can use cookies to track users even when they are in incognito mode.

Google has denied the allegations, but the company has agreed to settle the lawsuit without admitting any wrongdoing.

The Impact of the Settlement

The settlement is likely to have a significant impact on Google's data collection practices. The company may be required to make changes to the way it tracks users in incognito mode. The settlement may also lead to increased scrutiny of Google's data collection practices from regulators and privacy advocates.

What Users Can Do

If you are concerned about your privacy, there are a few things you can do:

• Use a different browser: There are a number of web browsers that are more privacy-focused than Chrome. Some popular options include Firefox and DuckDuckGo.
• Use a privacy extension: There are a number of privacy extensions that can help to protect your privacy when you are using Chrome. Some popular options include Privacy Badger and uBlock Origin.
• Be careful about what you share online: It is important to be careful about what information you share online, even when you are using incognito mode.

Additional Information

• The settlement is still subject to court approval.
• The terms of the settlement have not been publicly disclosed.
• Google has not commented on the settlement.     
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•  (With input from news agency language)
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