Google has agreed to delete browsing data collected while users were in its Chrome browser’s Incognito Mode.
The settlement is part of a class-action lawsuit that alleged Google secretly collected user activity, even when users took steps to browse privately.
Google spokesperson José Castañeda said in a statement that the company is “pleased to settle this lawsuit, which we always believed was meritless.” Though the plaintiffs valued the proposed settlement at $5 billion, which was the amount they originally sought in damages, Castañeda said that they are “receiving zero.” The settlement does not include damages for the class, though individuals can file claims.
“We never associate data with users when they use Incognito mode,” Castañeda added. “We are happy to delete old technical data that was never associated with an individual and was never used for any form of personalization.”
