Current:Home > BackGoogle to destroy billions of data records to settle "incognito" lawsuit-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Google to destroy billions of data records to settle "incognito" lawsuit
View Date:2024-12-23 19:10:47
Google will destroy a vast trove of data as part of a settlement over a lawsuit that accused the search giant of tracking consumers even when they were browsing the web using "incognito" mode, which ostensibly keeps people's online activity private.
The details of the settlement were disclosed Monday in San Francisco federal court, with a legal filing noting that Google will "delete and/or remediate billions of data records that reflect class members' private browsing activities."
The value of the settlement is more than $5 billion, according to Monday's filing.
The settlement stems from a 2020 lawsuit that claimed Google misled users into believing that it wouldn't track their internet activities while they used incognito. The settlement also requires Google to change incognito mode so that users for the next five years can block third-party cookies by default.
"This settlement is an historic step in requiring dominant technology companies to be honest in their representations to users about how the companies collect and employ user data, and to delete and remediate data collected," the settlement filing states.
Although Google agreed to the initial settlement in December, Monday's filing provides more details about the agreement between the tech giant and the plaintiffs, consumers represented by attorney David Boies of Boies Schiller Flexner and other lawyers.
Neither Google nor Boies Schiller Flexner immediately replied to a request for comment.
"This settlement ensures real accountability and transparency from the world's largest data collector and marks an important step toward improving and upholding our right to privacy on the Internet," the court document noted.
—With reporting by the Associated Press.
- In:
Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.
TwitterveryGood! (6)
Related
- Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans
- Authorities now have 6 suspects in fatal beating of teen at Halloween party
- Margaret Qualley to Star as Amanda Knox in New Hulu Series
- In State of the Union address, Biden to urge Congress to pass measures to lower health care costs
- Detroit-area police win appeal over liability in death of woman in custody
- Broncos release two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, team's longest-tenured player
- American Samoa splits delegates in Democratic caucuses between Biden, Jason Palmer
- New Jersey officials admit error at end of Camden-Manasquan hoops semifinal; result stands
- Indiana in the top five of the College Football Playoff rankings? You've got to be kidding
- 17-year-old boy dies after going missing during swimming drills in the Gulf of Mexico
Ranking
- Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
- West Virginia could become the 12th state to ban smoking in cars with kids present
- Tennessee lawmakers advance bill to undo Memphis’ traffic stop reforms after Tyre Nichols death
- Xcel Energy 'acknowledges' role in sparking largest wildfire in Texas history
- Blake Snell free agent rumors: Best fits for two-time Cy Young winner
- Olympic long jumper Davis-Woodhall sees new commitment lead to new color of medals -- gold
- Daylight saving time can wreak havoc on kids’ sleep schedules: How to help them adjust
- Jane Fonda, 'Oppenheimer' stars sign open letter to 'make nukes history' ahead of Oscars
Recommendation
-
New 'Yellowstone' is here: Season 5 Part 2 premiere date, time, where to watch
-
'You get paid a lot of money': Kirsten Dunst says she's open for another superhero movie
-
Denise Richards Looks Unrecognizable With New Hair Transformation
-
This week on Sunday Morning (March 10)
-
Kate Spade Outlet’s Early Black Friday Sale – Get a $259 Bag for $59 & More Epic Deals Starting at $25
-
'The shooter didn't snap': Prosecutors say Michigan dad could have prevented mass killing
-
Britt Reid is enjoying early prison release: Remember what he did, not just his privilege
-
Fact Focus: Claims Biden administration is secretly flying migrants into the country are unfounded