Google Will Purge Billions of Personal Data Files for Settlement of Chrome Privacy Case
Google recently reached an agreement to eliminate billions of records containing personal data belonging to over 136 million individuals in the United States. This decision comes as part of a settlement in a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of engaging in unlawful surveillance practices.
The settlement, which was disclosed in a court filing, stems from a lawsuit filed in June 2020 concerning Chrome's privacy controls. Among the allegations was the claim that Google continued to track users' internet activity even when the browser was set to "Incognito" mode, designed to offer privacy protection.
Initially contesting the lawsuit, Google's stance shifted after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers declined a request to dismiss the case in August of the same year. Following four months of negotiations, the terms of the settlement were revealed, pending approval from Judge Rogers.
As part of the agreement, Google will expunge vast amounts of personal data stored in its data centers and provide clearer disclosures regarding Chrome's Incognito mode. Additionally, the settlement imposes restrictions aimed at curbing Google's collection of personal information.
Notably, the settlement does not entail any financial compensation for the consumers involved in the class-action lawsuit. Google emphasized this point in a statement, asserting that it is required to delete old personal technical data that was not linked to individuals or used for personalization.
However, the attorneys representing Chrome users view the settlement as a significant victory for personal privacy in the digital age. They estimate the settlement's value to range between $4.75 billion and $7.8 billion, considering potential advertising revenue generated from the collected personal information.
Despite the settlement, Google remains vulnerable to further lawsuits addressing similar privacy concerns. Individual consumers retain the option to pursue damages against the company through civil complaints in state courts across the U.S.
Financial markets seem unfazed by the settlement's implications on Google's digital ad sales, with Alphabet Inc.'s shares rising following the announcement. Analysts like Austin Chambers view the settlement terms as a positive development that could impact online data collection practices in the future.
Nonetheless, Google continues to face legal challenges on various fronts, including allegations of anticompetitive behavior regarding its search engine dominance and potential changes to its Android app store.
As the legal landscape evolves, the outcome of these cases will likely shape Google's future operations and the broader landscape of digital privacy and competition in the tech industry.