Google’s parent company Alphabet was sued in the US for tracking Chrome users. However, the case was settled outside the court. Google says that it has been open about the operation of its incognito mode.
For example, adult entertainment websites can collect data about your visits, even if you use the browser’s so-called porn mode. Adobe Stock
the BBC according to Google’s parent company, compensation of no less than five billion dollars, i.e. more than 4.5 billion euros, was demanded in a class action for tracking its users without their knowledge.
The core of the problem was the Chrome browser and especially its incognito mode, which has also been playfully called porn mode.
When the incognito mode is active, the user’s actions and, for example, the page history are not saved in the browser or on the device, enabling private web browsing. A similar function can also be found in other browsers.
The operation is not 100% hidden
Many may have thought of Chrome’s incognito mode as a way of browsing that is completely private and closed from outsiders’ eyes. In 2020, however, it was noticed in the United States that some kind of monitoring is still practiced.
Although, for example, page history and cookies are not stored in the browser or device during an incognito session, data on visits and search terms is collected for Google’s analytics tools. With these tools, site owners can evaluate the performance of their content and develop their marketing.
The user’s browsing history or other data is not stored on the device during browsing, but visiting incognito is not secret from the perspective of the actual website. However, the information is not linked to a specific user, and a visitor using incognito mode looks like a new visitor from the site’s tip every time.
The company denies
According to Alphabet, it has been open about incognito monitoring. The Verge according to the company has stated that incognito does not mean invisible.
– As we tell the user every time when opening a new incognito window, websites can collect browsing data, José Castañeda He told The Verge about Google’s communication in March.
The story continues below the picture.
When opening a new incognito window, the Google Chrome browser informs you that browsing in private mode is not completely invisible. Google
Last year, the company tried to get the class action dismissed entirely. However, the court found the lawsuit to be justified, and the case seemed to proceed to trial.
However, the parties to the class action and Google’s parent company later found common ground, as the case has been settled behind closed doors.
However, details of, for example, possible compensations or changes to the operation of the application or the notifications it displays have not been made public so far.