Google Agrees to $5 Billion Settlement in Privacy Lawsuit

Highlights

• Google settles a $5 billion lawsuit for tracking user data in incognito mode.
• Violations date back to June 1, 2016, impacting numerous users.
• Settlement restricted to US customers, with individuals claiming $5,000 each.
• Follows a $700 million settlement for anti-competitive practices in Google Play Store.

Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has reached a pivotal settlement amounting $5 billion, in a high-profile lawsuit.

Initiated in 2020, at the core of the lawsuit is the allegation that Google, despite promises of privacy, continued to track the personal data of millions of users.

Google’s $5 Billion Settlment

Yeah, but Google tracks you no matter what, so what’s the big deal.

Well this tracking occurred even when users engaged the incognito mode on the Chrome Browser, a feature that was widely understood to offer privacy protections.

The legal action asserts violations dating back to June 1, 2016, implicating a vast number of Google users.

Each individual involved in the lawsuit sought damages of at least $5,000, citing breaches of federal wiretapping laws and California’s privacy statutes.

However, the settlement is only restricted to US customers for now.

Initially, the trial was scheduled for February 5, 2024.

However, the proceedings were paused by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California.

This pause came in the wake of an announcement by Google and the consumer plaintiffs of an initial agreement to settle, indicating a potential conclusion to this extensive legal battle.

Additionally, this settlement comes on the heels of another legal resolution by Google.

The company agreed to pay $700 million to settle a separate lawsuit involving anti-competitive practices in the Google Play Store.

After allocating $70 million to cover penalties and fees, the remaining $630 million is set to be distributed to eligible Play Store customers, with claim details to be announced soon.

Google Suing Scammers Selling Fake Bard

But Google is initiating a few lawsuits of its own although not towards the government.

Earlier this month, the company had taken a decisive step to combat a widespread scam involving its AI chatbot, Bard, by filing a lawsuit against yet-to-be-identified fraudsters.

The legal action, directed at individuals labeled as Does 1-3, aims to address the issue of fraudulent downloads falsely advertised as Bard, Google’s AI chatbot, which instead result in the installation of harmful malware.

Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s General Counsel, explained that this lawsuit serves several crucial objectives.

It aims to establish a legal precedent, hinder the tools used by scammers, and escalate the consequences for those engaging in such deceptive practices.

These malicious actors have been deceiving users worldwide, prompting Google to initiate nearly 300 takedown requests in response to the fraudulent activities.

The scam has a broad impact, targeting a diverse group including small businesses and Facebook advertisers.

Scammers have been exploiting social media platforms and websites to promote bogus offers of free Bard downloads.

FAQs

What is the basis of Google’s $5 billion lawsuit settlement?

Google has agreed to a $5 billion settlement due to allegations that it tracked personal data of users even when they were using the Chrome Browser’s incognito mode, a feature presumed to offer privacy.

How far back do the violations in the Google lawsuit go?

The lawsuit claims violations dating back to June 1, 2016. It implicates a substantial number of users who believed their data was private, especially in incognito mode.

Who are eligible for the lawsuit settlement against Google?

The settlement is currently restricted to US customers. Each individual involved in the lawsuit sought damages of at least $5,000 for breaches of federal wiretapping laws and California’s privacy statutes.

Was there another significant settlement by Google recently?

Yes, Google also settled another lawsuit for $700 million related to anti-competitive practices in the Google Play Store, with a significant portion of the settlement allocated to affected Play Store customers.

What are the malicious loan apps identified by ESET on the Google Play Store?

ESET identified 18 malicious loan apps on Google Play Store, designed to exploit Android users’ personal data for blackmail and extortion.

How do these malicious loan apps on Google Play Store endanger users?

These apps deceive users into granting access to sensitive information like contacts and photos, which is then used for extortion.

What actions have been taken against the malicious loan apps on Google Play Store?

Following ESET’s notification, Google removed 17 of the 18 identified malicious apps, with one still available in a revised form.

What should Android users be cautious of with loan apps on the Google Play Store?

Users should be wary of apps demanding excessive permissions and offering unrealistic loan terms, as these could be malicious.

What has google response been on the ongoing challenge of malware ?

Google has expressed its commitment to shielding users from predatory apps and highlighted its removal of over 200 SpyLoan apps from the Play Store in the past year.

However, the company acknowledges the persisting challenge and the need for users to remain vigilant.

Google urges users to exercise caution, conduct thorough research before downloading financial apps, review app permissions, check developer information, use reputable sources like official app stores, and stay informed about the latest security threats.

What are the consequences of the fake Bard AI malware?

The fake Bard AI malware enables attackers to hijack social media login credentials, posing a significant threat to individual privacy and security.

The malware primarily targets social media users, small businesses, and Facebook advertisers, gaining unauthorized access to their accounts.

How has Google responded to the Bard AI malware scam?

In response to the fake Bard AI malware scam, Google has filed nearly 300 takedown requests and initiated legal action.

This lawsuit aims to disrupt the tools used by scammers, establish a legal precedent, and raise the consequences for such malicious activities.

What was the main finding of the Kaspersky report on Google Play Store?

Kaspersky’s report revealed that users downloaded over 600 million malware-infected apps from the Google Play Store in 2023.

These apps included those with mini-game ads and Minecraft clones that harboured hidden adware, posing significant security risks to users.

Also Read: Malicious Loan Apps on Google Play Store Used to Blackmail and Extort Users

Also Read: Google Is Taking Legal Action Against Fake Bard AI Malware Scammers