Google Settles Lawsuit Over Incognito Mode Data Tracking, Will Delete Browsing History

Google has agreed to destroy the private browsing history of millions of people who used “incognito” mode in its Chrome browser as part of a settlement filed in federal court. The case was over the company’s secret tracking of web activity, where Google continued to scrape searches and data from users who thought they were browsing privately.

The class-action lawsuit revealed that Google saved both standard and incognito browsing history in the same profile, using this data to inform personalized ads. Despite users thinking they were browsing in private mode, Google was still tracking their activities. Internal emails from Google employees showed complaints about incognito mode not living up to its name, with suggestions to change the messaging to be more transparent about the tracking.

Under the settlement, Google will have to disclose that it can track browsing activity during incognito mode and will block third-party companies from tracking users’ cookies by default. While class members will not receive monetary damages, individual users can sue Google in California state court for compensation over the covert data tracking.

The agreement comes as Google faces other lawsuits over monopolizing online search and its advertising business. The deal still needs final approval from the court, but it marks a significant step towards holding tech giants accountable for their data practices.