Google has settled a lawsuit accusing the tech giant of clandestinely tracking the internet activity of users who believed they were browsing privately. Filed in Oakland, California, federal court, the settlement terms await approval from US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. Though Google is not facing any damages, individual users retain the right to sue the company. According to lawyers representing the plaintiffs, the settlement is estimated to be valued between$5 billion and$7.8 billion.

The class action, initiated in 2020, represents millions of Google users who utilised private browsing settings from 1 June 2016. Allegations against Google include claims that its analytics, cookies, and apps allowed unauthorised tracking, turning the company into a repository of sensitive user information. Under the settlement, Google will update its disclosures regarding data collection during private browsing sessions and enable users to block third-party cookies for five years.

Google has responded by emphasising its commitment to user privacy, asserting that data collected during 'Incognito' mode browsing is not associated with individual users. According to Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda, the company is pleased to settle the lawsuit, which it has consistently deemed meritless. Plaintiffs' lawyer David Boies views the settlement as a significant step towards holding dominant technology companies accountable for their practices, describing it as a 'historic step requiring honesty and accountability'.

The agreement, which follows a preliminary settlement in December, prevents a scheduled trial in February 2024. Although specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed initially, plaintiffs' lawyers intend to pursue unspecified legal fees from Google in the future. The lawsuit highlights ongoing debates surrounding online privacy and the responsibilities of tech giants like Google in safeguarding user data.