Google has agreed to make some changes to how it handles user data, following a legal settlement proposal. The settlement comes after a lawsuit filed against Google in the US in 2020, which claimed that Google was not respecting users’ privacy, even when they were using private browsing mode.
Under the proposed settlement, Google will delete billions of records of user activity and agree to certain restrictions on its ability to track users. However, Google denies any wrongdoing and maintains its support for the settlement.
These changes won’t just affect users in the US but will apply globally. Recently, Google clarified its policies on tracking data in “Incognito” mode after facing legal action over the matter.
While Google won’t keep a record of users’ browsing history on their devices anymore, it will still collect some data. Google has also tested a new feature for its Chrome browser that blocks third-party cookies, even in incognito mode. This feature will be active for the next five years as part of the settlement.
As part of the agreement, Google will delete a huge number of files containing private browsing history from its servers. However, Google won’t be paying any money to users as part of the settlement, arguing that the lawsuit doesn’t have enough merit. Instead, the focus will be on removing outdated technical data that isn’t linked to specific individuals.
Despite these changes, Google could still face more legal challenges related to privacy issues, which might lead to financial penalties or other consequences.
