Google agrees to destroy browsing data to settle lawsuit

Google will destroy the browsing data of 136 million users to settle a 2020 class-action lawsuit that claimed the search giant secretly tracked users’ data who were browsing in Chrome private mode.

The Incognito mode in Chrome allows users to browse the internet without their activity being saved to their browser or device. But that wasn’t the case.

The lawsuit alleged that Google’s analytics, cookies and apps were allowing it to improperly track people’s activities, per Reuters.

Apart from data destruction, Google will also update its disclosures about what information it collects and would also let users block third-party cookies.

The deal is awaiting the judge’s approval and doesn’t include damages for individual users, but individuals can file claims.