Tech giant faces huge payout after allegedly snooping on users’ private browsing

In a stunning turn of events, Google has decided to settle a colossal £3.7 billion lawsuit, accused of surreptitiously tracking users who believed they were enjoying private browsing sessions. The legal action, which targeted both Google and its parent company, Alphabet, sent shockwaves through the tech world, with a scheduled trial now on hold.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, overseeing the case in California, received word on Thursday (December 28) that a preliminary settlement had been reached between the two parties. Although the exact terms remain shrouded in mystery, legal representatives for Google and the disgruntled users are expected to unveil the details for court approval by February 2024.

The class-action lawsuit, initiated by law firm Boies Schiller Flexner in 2020, alleges that Google continued tracking user activity despite users activating ‘Incognito’ mode on Google Chrome and other browsers’ ‘private mode.’ Google’s defense claims that Incognito mode ensures ‘none of your browsing history, cookies and site data, or information entered in forms are saved on your device.’

However, the lawsuit contends that Google transformed into an ‘unaccountable trove of information’ on user preferences, potentially delving into ’embarrassing things.’ The legal battle, which Judge Rogers refused to dismiss earlier, questioned whether Google had made a binding promise not to collect user data during private browsing.

Social media erupted with typical wit in response to the news, with one user quipping, “Shocked to learn Incognito Mode was keeping tabs on us. Next, you’ll tell me Santa isn’t real.” Another added, “Sorry for those who thought Incognito mode meant browsing was completely private.”

This scandal reportedly impacts ‘millions’ of Google users since June 1, 2016, seeking at least £5,000 in damages per user for alleged violations of federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.