In a significant development, Google has agreed to settle a massive $5 billion lawsuit, resolving accusations of improperly tracking personal data in the Chrome browser's incognito mode. Lawyers for both parties have signed a binding term sheet, with the final approval expected from a federal judge in Oakland, California, no later than February 24, 2024.
Initially seeking at least $5 billion in damages, the plaintiffs alleged that Google, despite users believing they were browsing privately, tracked their online activity through analytics and other tools. The lawsuit contended that Google amassed an extensive repository of information, ranging from innocuous details like shopping habits to potentially embarrassing revelations.
Google has consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout the legal proceedings. If the settlement gains final approval, the proposed class-action lawsuit, originally scheduled for February 5, will be resolved.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has put the case on hold for final review after rejecting Google's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit in August. The financial terms of the settlement remain undisclosed.
Plaintiffs' attorneys sought damages of at least $5,000 per user for federal wiretapping since June 1, 2016, along with alleged violations of California privacy laws. Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Despite this settlement, Google faces other ongoing legal battles, including multiple antitrust cases targeting various aspects of its expansive business empire. In January, U.S. District Judge James Donato will hold a hearing on possible remedies after a federal jury determined that Google maintained an illegal monopoly through its Android app store and its closely linked in-app billing system. The potential outcomes range from changes in business practices to the potential breakup of certain business segments.
Furthermore, Google recently reached a $700 million settlement with all 50 U.S. states in a related case, agreeing to modify some business practices in the App Store. However, critics argue that this outcome is relatively weak. The tech giant is also awaiting a decision in the Justice Department's landmark antitrust case concerning its online search business.
