Google to Delete Chrome Incognito Browsing Data to Settle Lawsuit

[MacRumors]

Google has agreed to delete data that was collected from customers who used the Chrome browser's Incognito mode, settling a class action lawsuit that started in 2020, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The lawsuit claimed that Google misled users about the data collected while in Incognito or private browsing mode, tracking their website usage without their knowledge. Google was keeping data that included websites viewed, but the Incognito tab did not make this clear.

Browsing in Incognito mode said that browsing was "private" and that people won't see browsing activity, and while it was stated that websites could still collect data, the warning said nothing about Google's data collection. Google updated the wording of Incognito mode in January 2024 to clarify that Google collects the same data in Incognito mode and standard browsing mode.

Google plans to destroy "billions of data points" that were improperly collected, in addition to updating the wording in Incognito mode and disabling third-party cookies by default when using the feature (Google plans to get rid of cookies entirely later this year). The settlement does not include damages for Chrome users, but individuals do have the option to file their own lawsuits.

A Google spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that Google does not have an issue with deleting "old technical data" that was not associated with individuals or used for personalization. The agreement still needs final approval from the judge overseeing the case.

Google is wrapping up several smaller lawsuits as it faces off with the U.S. Department of Justice over its search and ad businesses. Google has been accused of making preferential deals that have harmed the search industry and of having too much control over advertising tools. The search battle has been ongoing since last September, while the ad lawsuit will proceed in September 2024.

Article Link: Google to Delete Chrome Incognito Browsing Data to Settle Lawsuit

 

[icanhazmac]

Google updated the wording of Incognito mode in January 2024 to clarify that Google collects the same data in Incognito mode and standard browsing mode.

Keep using Chrome fools.

A Google spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal that Google does not have an issue with deleting "old technical data" that was not associated with individuals or used for personalization.

"old technical data" is Google speak for "already been sold".

Google should be fined the exact amount of made on the sale of any of this data or more.

 

[No5tromo]

So Incognito was referring to how Google was collecting user data

 

[t0rqx]

Next year: Old Incognito deleted data found on old back-up server. Google says technical issue. Promise to delete.

 

[AppleTO]

Right, I’m sure they will “completely and totally” “delete” the data. Absolutely.

 

[LeeW]

Keep using Chrome fools.

I would rather be a fool than use Safari.

 

[Matcha]

Google the grim reaper

 

[breather]

Out of Googles total earnings, ads bring in most of it. It’s in the high 90s percentage wise.
How could you ever trust a company whose whole business idea is to collect your data and use it to sell ads?

 

[StellarVixen]

Nothing other than Safari on Mac. I was wandering a lot and in the end came back home. I only don't like how laggy YouTube is on Safari, but I have suspicion Google is making YouTube slow on anything that isn't Chrome or Chromium. However, I do not have enough evidence to back it up so it's just a speculation on my part for now.

 

[Moriakum]

I would rather be a fool than use Safari.

What´s the problem with Safari?

 

[Lakersfan74]

I use Safari with Apple and Chrome with Windows. I use my PC more than my phone.

 

[Moriakum]

I only use Safari on my Mac and iPhone. End of story for me.

 

[Analog Kid]

Be less evil...

 

[bodhisattva]

Right, I’m sure they will “completely and totally” “delete” the data. Absolutely.

For the first time... again..... after the last first time, again. You can depend on them to 100% positively maybe delete. After all loopholes explored and 10-15 footnotes excluding some data...

 

[bodhisattva]

All those thinking "But I delete my browser history..... "

 

[Weed]

Let's not pretend Apple is much better these guys when it comes to privacy.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

It’s not that I think Apple wouldn’t be doing the same thing if they could, because I’m sure they absolutely would.
But here’s the difference.
If Apple were caught doing something similar to this, it would be reputation destroying. It would lead to months of press and thousands upon thousands of videos, it would be a PR nightmare.
This thread would be 10 pages long in a half hour if Apple were caught doing this.

For Google or Meta? Just another day.

 

[Analog Kid]

Browsing in Incognito mode said that browsing was "private" and that people won't see browsing activity, and while it was stated that websites could still collect data, the warning said nothing about Google's data collection.

"We understand wanting to hide personal stuff from your wife, but we were shocked to learn that some people would want to hide it from Google"

Google does not have an issue with deleting "old technical data" that was not associated with individuals or used for personalization.

Am I reading this to say that they won't be deleting data that was associated with individuals or used for personalization?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Let's not pretend Apple is much better these guys when it comes to privacy.

Much better? Maybe not.
More transparent though? Absolutely.

 

[cyanite]

Keep using Chrome fools.

Incognito mode or similar works the same pretty much everywhere.

Google should be fined the exact amount of made on the sale of any of this data or more.

The only problem is that these sales only exist in your imagination, so far. Hard to push that in a court of law. Also, this is a settlement.

So Incognito was referring to how Google was collecting user data

It works the same in all browsers; it’s strictly a local setting.

It’s not that I think Apple wouldn’t be doing the same thing if they could, because I’m sure they absolutely would.

It works the same in all browsers. Do you guys even know anything about this feature?

If Apple were caught doing something similar to this

It works the same in all browsers. No one was caught doing anything.

 

[icanhazmac]

The lawsuit claimed that Google misled users about the data collected while in Incognito or private browsing mode, tracking their website usage without their knowledge. Google was keeping data that included websites viewed, but the Incognito tab did not make this clear.

The only problem is that these sales only exist in your imagination, so far.

So please, tell us, why Google would collect data on web sites viewed if not to sell that data? Did they have nothing better to store on excess hard drive space?

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Incognito mode or similar works the same pretty much everywhere.



The only problem is that these sales only exist in your imagination, so far. Hard to push that in a court of law. Also, this is a settlement.



It works the same in all browsers; it’s strictly a local setting.



It works the same in all browsers. Do you guys even know anything about this feature?



It works the same in all browsers. No one was caught doing anything.

“Safari is designed with privacy in mind by preventing tracking by default. Private Browsing adds additional privacy protections for all your private tabs. After you close a tab, Safari won’t remember the pages you visited, your search history, or your AutoFill information.”
It also disables all Safari extensions and you can choose an independent search engine for Private browsing in the settings.

The lawsuit claimed that Google misled users about the data collected while in Incognito or private browsing mode, tracking their website usage without their knowledge. Google was keeping data that included websites viewed, but the Incognito tab did not make this clear.

Browsing in Incognito mode said that browsing was "private" and that people won't see browsing activity, and while it was stated that websites could still collect data, the warning said nothing about Google's data collection. Google updated the wording of Incognito mode in January 2024 to clarify that Google collects the same data in Incognito mode and standard browsing mode.

Apple’s wording is completely clear.
Google’s… was not, implying more privacy protection than actually existed.

 

[antnythr]

So are they also going to delete all the derivative data they created from the original dataset as well associated with users?

 

[hacky]

What’s the purpose if Incognito mode if it is not incognito?

 

[xraydoc]

Sounds like something Google would do (collect data on incognito browsing). It should surprise no one.

With Google, YOU are the product -- Google is selling YOU to other people. That's how they make their money.