Google has conceded that users who trusted in the privacy of Chrome’s Incognito mode for ‘private’ searches are now faced with a stark revelation. Despite Google’s assurances, it has been admitted that Incognito mode did not offer the level of privacy anticipated and that information from searches conducted in this mode was indeed collected.
Following a lawsuit filed in 2020, demanding a compensation of five billion dollars, Google has agreed to delete data collected through Chrome’s Incognito Mode. This move is reported by The Wall Street Journal as an attempt by Google to avoid paying a substantial settlement.
The complaint, filed in June 2020 in the United States, accused Google of misleading millions of users about the privacy of their data. Google had introduced the Incognito feature in Chrome as a means for private browsing, under the impression that data from these sessions wouldn’t be shared. However, the foundation of the complaint was that Google still retained information from these searches.
Google’s Stance
From the onset of the legal battle, Google maintained that information from Incognito tabs was neither displayed to the public nor used in any other way. A spokesperson for Google responded to the allegations, expressing satisfaction that the company had never used data from users who had activated Incognito mode and was pleased to delete such data, indicating that no compensation was necessary.
Google’s Correction
Earlier this year, Google made a significant change to the description of the Incognito tab. The feature was rebranded from ‘private browsing’ to ‘browse more privately’, marking a precedent for Google’s recent agreement to delete vast amounts of data collected via the Incognito tab. Additionally, Google took steps to block third-party tracking cookies in Incognito tabs, ensuring that private browsing sessions would not share information with private advertisers.
Current Situation
Google might avoid a hefty compensation payout by agreeing to delete the data. Meanwhile, the court has made it clear that individuals can still claim their losses. The case has been postponed to June 30 for further hearings, with possible settlement efforts from Google in the interim.
Cookies
The legal action has enabled restrictions on the use of third-party cookies in Incognito searches for the next five years, which are small files used by advertisers to display ads tailored to users’ preferences. From now on, third-party cookies will be blocked by default in Incognito mode, with efforts underway to phase out cookies from Chrome within the next two years, as previously stated by Google.
Be Aware
Google’s Incognito mode in Chrome is designed to enhance user privacy by not storing information such as browsing history, cookies, and site data. However, it does not completely shield your browsing activities from online trackers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), or networks with traffic monitoring. Furthermore, even the utilization of additional tools, such as VPN services, privacy-focused browsers, or extensions designed to block trackers, cannot fully guarantee privacy protection.
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