Google Settles 'Secret Mode' Lawsuit... Billions of User Records Deleted

Google has agreed to delete billions of user data records in a privacy infringement lawsuit surrounding the Chrome web browser's 'Incognito Mode'.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Google disclosed these detailed settlement terms in a document submitted to the San Francisco federal court on the 1st (local time).

Under this settlement, Google will not only delete the existing billions of user data records that sparked privacy concerns but also clearly inform users that data is collected in Incognito Mode. Additionally, an option to disable third-party cookies must be provided to users in this setting.

Previously, some Google users in the United States filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020, claiming that their web activities such as search history and visited sites were tracked in Incognito Mode, seeking 5 billion KRW in damages, and reached a settlement last December. Incognito Mode is a Chrome browser feature that users set themselves to protect their privacy.

However, this settlement does not include damages. Users can individually file claims for damages. WSJ confirmed that 50 cases have already been filed in California state courts.

David Boyce, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, said, "This settlement is a historic measure demanding honesty and accountability from dominant tech companies," and that improperly collected data must be deleted on an unprecedented scale and scope. Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson welcomed the settlement, stating that the data was not linked to individuals and was not used in any personalized form.

Meanwhile, on the New York Stock Exchange that day, Alphabet's stock price closed more than 3% higher compared to the previous session.

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