Google Settles Incognito Mode and Biometric Data Lawsuits for $1.4 Billion

By Netvora Tech News

Google has agreed to settle lawsuits filed by the state of Texas over allegations that the company illegally tracked and collected user data, including during Incognito Mode, for $1.4 billion. The lawsuits claimed that Google deceived users of its Chrome browser by implying that the Incognito Mode would not track their search history or location activities, but actually did so. Texas Attorney General Paxton accused Google of misleading users, saying that the company's claim to give users control and respect their choices was false. In reality, Google continued to collect location and other personal information that users wanted to keep private, and profit from it, Paxton alleged. The lawsuits also accused Google of collecting millions of biometric identifiers, including voice and facial information, from products and services such as Google Photos, Google Assistant, and Nest Hub Max, without informed consent. The company then used this personal information for its own commercial gain, violating Texas's biometric privacy law, according to the complaint. Google has settled the lawsuits without admitting wrongdoing. "In Texas, Big Tech doesn't get to operate above the law," Paxton said. "For years, Google has secretly tracked people's movements, private search queries, and even their voice and facial information. I've fought back and won." Paxton hailed the settlement as a major victory for the privacy of Texans and warned that companies that abuse people's trust will be held accountable.

Google has agreed to settle lawsuits filed by the state of Texas over allegations of illegal data tracking and collection.
The lawsuits claimed that Google deceived users of its Chrome browser by implying that Incognito Mode would not track their search history or location activities.
Google has collected millions of biometric identifiers, including voice and facial information, without informed consent.
The company has settled the lawsuits without admitting wrongdoing.