Google to purge billions of personal data files in settlement of Chrome privacy case 

Google has reached a settlement in a lawsuit alleging illegal surveillance practices involving its Chrome web browser. As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to purge billions of records containing personal information collected from over 136 million people in the U.S. who used Chrome. The lawsuit, filed in June 2020, accused Google of tracking users’ internet activity even when they had activated the “Incognito” setting, which is intended to protect privacy.

The settlement terms, disclosed in a court filing, require Google to expunge the personal records stored in its data centers and provide more prominent privacy disclosures regarding Chrome’s Incognito option. Additionally, other controls will be implemented to limit Google’s collection of personal information. The settlement is subject to approval by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, with a hearing scheduled for July 30.

While consumers represented in the lawsuit will not receive damages or payments, Google emphasized its belief that the lawsuit was meritless and stated that it is only required to delete technical data not associated with individuals. However, the attorneys representing Chrome users hailed the settlement as a significant victory for personal privacy, estimating its value at $4.75 billion to $7.8 billion.

Despite the settlement, Google remains vulnerable to additional lawsuits related to similar privacy issues. However, investors appear unfazed by the settlement terms, with Alphabet Inc.’s shares rising following the announcement. Legal experts view the settlement as a positive development for data privacy, potentially influencing future practices regarding online data collection.

While Google has resolved the Chrome lawsuit, it continues to face regulatory challenges, including allegations of anticompetitive behavior related to its search engine dominance. A federal judge is expected to issue a ruling in the case following closing arguments scheduled for May 1.