Google Agrees to $1.375 Billion Settlement in Two Lawsuits Over User Tracking

In a significant development, Google has agreed to pay the state of Texas $1.375 billion to settle two lawsuits accusing the company of tracking users' personal location, incognito searches, and voice and facial data without their knowledge or consent.

Background

The lawsuits were filed in 2020 by two groups of plaintiffs: a class of users who claimed that Google had tracked their incognito browsing history, and another group who alleged that the company had used its voice and facial recognition technology to collect personal data from them.

According to the plaintiffs, Google's tracking practices were in violation of Texas' "Sodexo Settlement" (also known as the "Invisible Clicks" settlement), which was reached with the company in 2019. The settlement required Google to stop using location data from Android devices for targeted ads and to give users more control over their ad-tracking settings.

The Lawsuits

One of the lawsuits, filed by a group of plaintiffs known as "Invisible Clicks," alleged that Google had used its tracking technology to monitor users' browsing habits even when they were using incognito mode. The plaintiffs claimed that this was in violation of Texas law and sought damages for their alleged injuries.

The other lawsuit, filed by a group of plaintiffs who used Google's voice recognition technology, alleged that the company had collected and stored their voice data without their consent or knowledge. This lawsuit also claimed that Google had used the voice data to target ads and monitor users' online activities.

The Settlement

As part of the settlement agreement, Google has agreed to pay $1.375 billion to the state of Texas. The company will also be required to implement new policies and procedures to ensure that its tracking practices comply with Texas law.

Under the terms of the settlement, Google will:

• Pay $1.175 billion in damages to the plaintiffs
• Provide an additional $200 million to cover the costs of implementing new tracking practices
• Make changes to its data collection and use policies to protect users' privacy

Implications

The settlement has significant implications for Google's tracking practices and its treatment of user data. By agreeing to pay damages and make changes to its policies, Google is acknowledging that it has indeed been tracking users without their consent.

This settlement also raises questions about the limits of corporate power and the ability of states to regulate the tech industry. As more lawsuits are filed against companies like Google for alleged privacy violations, this settlement may serve as a model for future settlements and regulatory actions.

What This Means for Users

For users, this settlement is good news. It means that Google will be required to make changes to its tracking practices to protect users' privacy and provide them with more control over their online activities.

In the coming months and years, we can expect to see changes in the way that Google collects and uses user data. These changes may include:

• More transparent notifications about data collection and use
• Improved controls over ad-tracking settings
• Enhanced security measures to protect users' personal data

Conclusion

The settlement between Google and the state of Texas is a significant development in the ongoing saga of corporate accountability and user privacy. As the tech industry continues to evolve, it's essential that regulators and lawmakers stay vigilant in protecting consumers from exploitation.

In the meantime, users can take steps to protect their own online data by:

• Being more mindful of ad-tracking settings
• Using private browsing modes
• Regularly reviewing and updating personal data

By staying informed and taking control of our online activities, we can help ensure that companies like Google are held accountable for their actions.