Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has consented to settle a US$5 billion class-action lawsuit, which accused the tech giant of tracking user activity despite the use of 'incognito' mode in its Chrome browser, reports Reuters.
This lawsuit, initiated in 2020, alleged that Google continued to gather detailed information about users' website visits and online behaviour through its advertising technologies, even when users opted for supposedly private browsing modes.
The plaintiffs claimed that Google's actions resulted in an extensive, unregulated collection of personal data from individuals who believed they were safeguarding their privacy.
Pending approval
The settlement, announced on Thursday, is pending approval from a federal judge.
Specific terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, although the initial lawsuit demanded US$5 billion on behalf of the affected users.
The plaintiff's attorneys anticipate presenting a finalised settlement agreement to the court by February 24.
What is incognito mode?
Incognito mode, often featured in web browsers, is a privacy-focused feature designed to offer users a more discreet online experience.
When activated, this mode prevents the browser from saving information about the user's browsing session.
This includes browsing history, cookies and site data, which are typically stored and can be accessed in future sessions.
While incognito mode is effective in keeping user activity private from other users on the same device, it does not offer complete anonymity or prevent external entities, such as websites or internet service providers, from tracking the user's online behaviour.
The effectiveness of incognito mode in safeguarding privacy has been subject to scrutiny, as it primarily affects local data storage and does not shield users from broader online tracking mechanisms.