MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – Google has reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging the company tracked millions of users’ internet activity even when they believed they were browsing in “Incognito” mode. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court Northern District of California in 2020, sought $5 billion in damages on behalf of millions of Google users, with the proposed settlement amounting to $5,000 per user or three times the actual damages.

The lawsuit accused Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., of illegally collecting information about users’ online activities and browsing habits through various applications and website plug-ins, including Google Analytics and Google Ad Manager. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has put a hold on the trial for the proposed class action lawsuit after both parties reached a preliminary settlement agreement. The settlement terms have not been disclosed, but lawyers are expected to present a formal agreement to the court for approval by February 24, 2024.

Attorneys for the consumers claim that Google’s analytics, cookies, and apps allowed the company to track browsing activity even when Chrome was set to “Incognito” mode, leading to the unauthorized collection of users’ personal information. Google had sought to have the lawsuit dismissed, but the judge rejected the company’s request in August 2023. The lawsuit accuses Google of violating federal wire-tapping and California privacy laws. Google has not responded to requests for comment on the settlement terms.

In her rejection of Google’s request to dismiss the lawsuit, Judge Rogers cited the company’s privacy policy and statements by Google suggesting limitations on the collection of user data. Ultimately, the lawsuit brings to light concerns about online privacy and the protection of personal information in the digital age.

The settlement in the lawsuit against Google sheds light on the growing concerns over online privacy and data collection practices, raising important questions about the protection of user information on digital platforms. As technology continues to advance, the issue of online privacy and data security is likely to remain at the forefront of public and legal discourse.