![](https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Google-passkeys.jpg)
Alphabet’s Google has reached a preliminary settlement in a class-action lawsuit that accused the tech giant of secretly tracking the internet activities of millions of users who believed they were browsing privately. The announcement came as U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, decided to put the scheduled trial on hold, initially set for February 5, 2024.
The lawsuit, seeking a minimum of $5 billion in damages, alleged that Google utilized analytics, cookies, and applications to monitor user activities, even when individuals had set their browsers, including Google Chrome in “Incognito” mode or other browsers in “private” browsing mode.
Read more: Google Accuses India’s Competition Commission of Protecting Amazon
Details of the settlement were not disclosed, but lawyers representing both Google and the consumers involved stated that they had agreed to a binding term sheet through mediation. They anticipate presenting a formal settlement for court approval by February 24, 2024.
Neither Google nor the legal representatives for the plaintiff consumers have responded to requests for comments as of now.
The lawsuit shed light on concerns related to user privacy, claiming that Google’s tracking persisted despite users’ efforts to maintain anonymity through private browsing settings. The company has not publicly addressed the specific allegations or provided a statement regarding the settlement agreement.
Source: Reuters
Featured News
Meta Eyes Multi-Billion Dollar Stake in EssilorLuxottica Amid High-Stakes Tech Rivalry
Jul 21, 2024 by
CPI
UK CMA Probes Macquarie’s Stake in Last Mile Infrastructure
Jul 21, 2024 by
CPI
NYDFS Bolsters Crypto Oversight with Dubai Regulator Veteran
Jul 21, 2024 by
CPI
Allegations of Collusion in PacifiCorp Wildfire Settlements, Buffett’s Utility Under Scrutiny
Jul 21, 2024 by
CPI
Meta Fined $220 Million by Nigeria’s Antitrust Agency Over WhatsApp Privacy Policy
Jul 21, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Private Equity Roll-Up Schemes
Jun 28, 2024 by
CPI
The FTC’s Focus on Private Equity is Warranted
Jun 28, 2024 by
CPI
Unraveling the Roll-Up: Private Equity’s Misunderstood Investment Strategy
Jun 28, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Focus on Private Equity Funds and Serial Acquisitions
Jun 28, 2024 by
CPI
Private Equity Roll-Ups Amidst Heightened Antitrust Enforcement
Jun 28, 2024 by
CPI