Yesterday, we looked at the extent of cybercrime and its effects. But, what about the impact of misleading claims regarding our privacy? That is not OK either. With this in mind, consider new criticism of Google and privacy.
For other interesting related posts, read these:
- Master Our Own Privacy with Google
- Data Privacy in the COVID-19 Era
- Eyes on You Everywhere
- Tips to Better Avoid Online Tracking
- Facial Recognition Still Not Overly Popular
- Retargeting as a Valuable – Yet Questionable – Tool
Federal Judge Brings New Criticism of Google and Privacy
In late October 2020, the U.S. Justice Department filed an antitrust suit against Google. This legal action will take years to resolve.
At the same time, Google faces a number of private lawsuits regarding various practices. One such lawsuit involves Google’s use of data gathered from those using its Incognito window in Google Chrome. [Note: Previously we wrote about misunderstanding the Incognito window with both Chrome and Firefox.]
Just last week, the federal judge overseeing the Incognito case, criticized Google. Here’s the context, explained by Advertising Age:
When Google users browse in “Incognito” mode, just how hidden is their activity?
The Alphabet Inc. unit says activating the stealth mode in Chrome, or “private browsing” in other browsers, means the company won’t “remember your activity.” But a judge with a history of taking Silicon Valley giants to task about their data collection raised doubts Thursday about whether Google is being as forthright as it needs to be about the personal information it’s collecting from users.
At a hearing in San Jose, California, U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh said she’s “disturbed” by Google’s data collection practices as described in a class-action lawsuit that says the company’s private browsing promises is a “ruse.” The suit seeks $5,000 in damages for each of the millions of people whose privacy has been compromised since June of 2016. Weighing Google’s attempt to get the suit dismissed, Koh said she finds it “unusual” that the company would make the “extra effort” of data collection if it doesn’t use the information to build user profiles or targeted advertising.
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