Google Chrome, still the most widely used browser in the world, continues to maintain its position with an overwhelming majority. Its simple interface, speed, and functional extensions are very effective in its popularity. Also, there is a button in the top right dropdown window of Google Chrome that allows you to open an incognito window. But how private is this incognito mode?
What is the status of the Google Chrome incognito mode lawsuit?
Google has stated it is ready to resolve the class-action lawsuit opened in 2020 due to the incognito mode of the Chrome browser. The lawsuit, which emerged in the Northern District of California, accused Google of continuing to “track, collect, and identify users’ browsing data in real-time,” even if they opened a new incognito window.
The lawsuit, filed by William Byatt residing in Florida, and Chasom Brown and Maria Nguyen in California, accused Google of violating privacy laws. It was also claimed that sites using Google Analytics or Ad Manager collected information from browsers in incognito mode, including web page content, device data, and IP addresses.
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The plaintiffs also accused Google of capturing Chrome users’ incognito browsing activity and associating it with existing user profiles. Initially, Google tried to get the lawsuit dismissed by pointing to the message displayed when users open Chrome’s incognito mode. This warning message informs users that their activities can “still be seen by the websites you visit.”
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, in August, rejected Google’s summary judgment proposal, stating that Google never disclosed to its users that data collection continued even while browsing in incognito mode. Thus, the Chrome incognito mode case did not resolve as easily as Google wanted.
Rogers decided, “Google’s request is based on the idea that the plaintiffs consented to Google collecting their data while browsing in private mode.” The court, noting that Google never clearly told users it was doing this, stated that the case could not be closed in this manner.
According to an announcement made on Tuesday, December 26, Google and the plaintiffs have agreed on terms that would result in the dismissal of the case. The agreement will be presented to the court at the end of January, and the court will reach a final decision by the end of February.
So, what do you think about this issue? You can share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
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