A U.S. federal jury has ruled that Google must pay $425 million in damages for violating user privacy. The decision follows a class action lawsuit alleging that the company collected data from millions of users who had switched off their account tracking features.
Jury Finds Google Violated Privacy Settings
The lawsuit claimed that, over an eight-year period, Google continued accessing user data despite assurances under its Web & App Activity settings. Users argued that the company collected and stored sensitive information without proper consent.
Plaintiffs initially sought over $31 billion in damages, but the jury awarded $425 million. The ruling found Google liable on two of the three privacy violation claims. However, the jury determined that Google did not act with malice, meaning no punitive damages were applied.
Google Plans to Appeal the Verdict
Google announced plans to appeal, arguing that the ruling misinterprets how its products work. The company emphasized that its privacy tools are designed to give users control over their data.
A Google spokesperson stated that when personalization is turned off, the company respects that choice. However, the jury’s decision suggests that users’ expectations of privacy were not met.
Class Action Covers Millions of Users
The case was certified as a class action covering about 98 million users and 174 million devices. The lawsuit alleged that Google continued collecting data through its partnerships with apps such as Uber, Venmo, and Instagram, which rely on Google’s analytics services.
At trial, Google argued that the information gathered was non-personal, pseudonymous, and securely stored, stressing that it was not linked to specific accounts or identities. Despite these claims, the jury sided with the users.
Previous Privacy Lawsuits Against Google
This is not the first time Google has faced legal action over privacy. Earlier this year, the company agreed to pay $1.4 billion to settle a lawsuit in Texas over alleged violations of state privacy laws.
In April 2024, Google also agreed to destroy billions of browsing records to resolve claims that it tracked users who believed they were browsing privately, including in Incognito mode.
Significance of the Verdict
The ruling underscores the growing scrutiny of big tech companies and their data practices. It also highlights the increasing demand for stronger accountability in how user information is collected, stored, and used.
As digital privacy becomes a pressing global issue, this verdict could serve as a precedent for future lawsuits against tech giants.
