Google fined $5 billion for spying on data in incognito mode
Another fine for using Google illegally has been issued.
This time, the case is from the Oakland, California, judicial district, and on February 5th, judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has scheduled the next hearing in the multinational's trial. Many users have filed a class action lawsuit against the website, claiming that it tracks their internet activity and collects their personal data even while they are using incognito mode.
In fact, some browsers—like Google—allow users to turn off this specific kind of navigation, allowing them to clear cookies and other traces when their browsing session is over. Prosecutors said that as a result, Google has gathered an enigmatic cache of data on its users' acquaintances, pastimes, dietary preferences, internet shopping patterns, and perhaps humiliating searches. To put it briefly, Google's Big Brother can see you even while you're using incognito mode.
The multinational's attorneys, however, have disclosed that they have previously concluded an arrangement with the concerned party that ensures significant damages compensation.
Reuters reports that Google may have to compensate users with up to $5 billion. A figure that ought to be verified during the hearing in February of the following year. There are several episodes involving the largest internet browser provider in the world. This one is only one of them.
As a matter of fact, Google has been implicated in several instances of misconduct. Google is once again in the dock in the greatest competition trial to take place in the United States in the past 25 years. In this instance, the multinational is charged with entering into illegal contracts with businesses that manufacture electronics, giving it the ability to control a large portion of the market. The option of dissolving the business is also on the table.
Next, we travel to Australia, on the opposite side of the globe, where Google found itself in the epicenter of legal news once more. The Californian behemoth was fined $60 million by the nation's federal court in August 2022 after it was found to have gathered customer movement data. The story doesn't finish here since nothing changes when you travel to Europe.
In January 2022, Google was fined 150 million euros by the National Commission for IT and Freedom in France. The accusations in this case also included user tracking: "The websites facebook.com, google.fr, and youtube.com do not make it as easy for users to refuse cookies as they make it to accept them," the Transalpine Commission stated after the National Commission for IT and Freedom's inquiry revealed.
Lastly, we reach the enormous fine of 4 billion euros, which was validated by the European Union Court of Justice. The European courts in this case contested Google's use of the Android operating system to further solidify its hegemonic status.
To put it briefly, the Californian multinational has racked up several billion in fines for unlawful activities in just the previous two years alone. That being said, it's possible that the firm should be broken up because the penalties may not be sufficient for a business with an annual revenue of about $200 billion.
There's no such thing as free. I worry about many of the "free" products that I use on a daily basis. They have to make money somehow and even though I am somewhat vigilant about what I use I am sure my data is being collected and sold as well. These suits are warranted though because Google did explicitly say that in incognito mode that the data would not be collected.