Google has consented to erase billions of data records to settle a lawsuit accusing the tech giant of covertly tracking users’ internet activities during supposedly private browsing sessions. This settlement, filed in an Oakland, California federal court, awaits the approval of US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, represents millions of Google users who have engaged in private browsing via Google’s Chrome browser in “Incognito” mode or other browsers in “private” mode since June 1, 2016. Plaintiffs accused Google of illicitly collecting data on users through analytics, cookies, and apps, even in private browsing modes, turning Google into an unregulated repository of personal information.

The settlement, valued between $5 billion and $7.8 billion by the plaintiffs’ attorneys, does not involve direct payments from Google to the users. However, users retain the right to individually sue Google for damages. As part of the agreement, Google will also limit third-party cookie usage for Incognito users for five years and update its data collection disclosures during private browsing sessions.

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated the company is satisfied with the settlement, emphasizing that Google never associates data with users in Incognito mode and is glad to eliminate outdated technical data not used for personalization.

The settlement, first reached preliminarily in December to avoid a trial scheduled for February 5, 2024, has been praised as a significant move towards ensuring transparency and accountability from leading tech firms. The plaintiffs’ legal team plans to seek an unspecified amount in legal fees from Google.

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