Google agrees to delete Incognito mode data after lawsuit settlement
Google has settled a lawsuit, agreeing to delete billions of data records collected from Chrome's Incognito mode, falsely accused of tracking users' private browsing. This resolution marks Google's effort to clear up legal challenges ahead of its upcoming antitrust showdowns with the U.S. Department of Justice.
The lawsuit, led by Chasom Brown and others, charged Google with misleading users about their privacy in Incognito mode. As part of the settlement, Google will rewrite its user disclosures to clarify its data collection practices.
Additionally, Google committed to a five-year plan to block third-party cookies in Incognito mode, enhancing user privacy.
Despite spending over $1 billion to settle various lawsuits since December, Google will not compensate the plaintiffs in this case.
However, individuals retain the right to pursue their claims against the company. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda emphasized that the plaintiffs' initial $5 billion demand resulted in no payout, underscoring the company's satisfaction in eliminating outdated technical data unrelated to personalization.
The agreement was reached in December, averting a trial that was set for early February.
