Google appears to have reached a preliminary agreement in the high-profile $5 billion lawsuit that alleged the tech giant improperly tracked the online activities of users thinking they were browsing in “incognito” mode. Court documents indicate that a tentative settlement has been established between Google and the plaintiffs’ legal team, putting a pause on the trial previously slated for February 5.
U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of Oakland temporarily suspended the proceedings after both parties signaled a potential resolution. While the exact terms remain undisclosed, a binding term sheet has been finalized through mediation, with a comprehensive settlement proposal anticipated for court review by February 24.
The lawsuit, initiated in 2020, contended that Google’s Chrome browser misled users into believing their online searches and browsing histories were private while using the “incognito” mode. Internal communications among Google executives highlighted in the case suggested the company possessed capabilities to track such activities, thereby accumulating vast amounts of potentially sensitive user data.
Despite these allegations, Google refuted any wrongdoing. Notably, this settlement comes on the heels of Google’s recent $700 million resolution related to anticompetitive behaviors within its Android app store. Concurrently, the tech behemoth remains embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit concerning its dominant search engine, with proceedings expected to conclude in Washington, D.C., by early May.
