In a significant legal development, Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has committed to erasing vast amounts of data amassed from users of its Chrome browser's Incognito mode — a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse on digital privacy.
This decision comes from a settlement agreement in a class action lawsuit initiated in 2020, highlighting the tech behemoth's data collection practices, even in supposed private browsing modes.
The lawsuit's resolution requires Google to overhaul the disclaimer on the Incognito mode launch page, ensuring users comprehend that data collection persists across browsing modes, including third-party site interactions.
This move accompanies Google's obligation to delete certain Incognito mode user data, particularly those records exceeding nine months prior to the settlement's finalisation in December 2023.
Despite the settlement's terms, concerns remain around the extent of data deletion, given the sealed nature of some pertinent documents.
Google's response, articulated by spokesperson Jose Castaneda, emphasises the company's willingness to purge "old technical data" unrelated to individual personalisation or identification.
Google has also pledged to continue blocking third-party cookies in Incognito mode for five years, enhancing user anonymity by modifying IP address and header information treatment.
These adjustments align with Google’s broader strategy to phase out third-party cookies by the end of 2024, framing Incognito mode not as a private but a “more private” browsing option.
Critics of Incognito mode say the feature provides a false sense of security and that its protections are weak against sophisticated commercial surveillance.
The settlement, primarily injunctive, aims to curb practices deemed unlawful by the plaintiffs, without precluding future claims.
This legal juncture underscores the evolving scrutiny of privacy measures in the tech industry, as users and regulators demand greater transparency and accountability from digital giants like Google.