The Summary Analysis:
- Google has settled a lawsuit for $5 billion over allegations that it illegally tracked users in incognito mode.
- The plaintiffs claimed that Google violated federal wiretap laws by collecting data from users without their consent.
- Google has maintained that users consented to data collection when they agreed to the company’s terms of service.
- Cybersecurity experts have pointed out that incognito mode only prevents local saving of browsing history and does not prevent Google from collecting data.
What’s Google said?
“Google’s motion hinges on the idea that plaintiffs consented to Google collecting their data while they were browsing in private mode,” U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled.
“Because Google never explicitly told users that it does so, the Court cannot find as a matter of law that users explicitly consented to the at-issue data collection.”
What users can do:
- Use a privacy-focused browser with extensions like DuckDuckGo, Brave, and Tor.
- Be careful about what information you enter into websites and online forms.
- Avoid using Google services if you are concerned about your privacy.
- Consider encrypting your internet traffic using a virtual private network (VPN).
- Clear your browsing history and cookies regularly: This will help prevent websites from tracking you across different sessions.
- Using a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication will make it more difficult for hackers to steal your accounts.
- Be wary of social media scams: Don’t click on links or attachments from people you don’t know.
Also See: Anonymity With VPN Tor And ProxyChain Combination
