Google Faces Lawsuit For Tracking Users In Privacy Mode

Uploaded on 2020-06-12 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, FREE TO VIEW, BUSINESS-Services-Law

Google is being sued in a US class action which accuses the search company of invading the privacy of millions of users by pervasively tracking their Internet use through browsers set in “private” mode.

According to the complaint filed in the federal court in California, Google gathers data through Google Analytics, Google Ad Manager and other applications and website plug-ins, including smartphone apps, regardless of whether users click on Google-supported ads. 

Google uses this data to learn about private browsing habits of Chrome users, ranging from seemingly innocuous data that can be used for ad-targeting, such as information about hobbies, interests and favorite foods, to the “most intimate and potentially embarrassing things” that people may search for online, according to the complaint.

Google “cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorised data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone,” the complaint said.

The technology problem at the root of the report is a feature called incognito mode in the Chrome browser, which ironically is one that is supposed to protect people when surfing the internet. Chrome users can turn on incognito mode to protect their browsing history, sessions and cookies from websites that want to use this information for marketing or ad-targeting purposes.
However, the feature has long had a problem in that even when using their mode, people’s activity has still been detectable by websites “for years” due to a FileSystem API implementation, Google Chrome developer Paul Irish has tweeted.

Though Google said it implemented the FileSystem API in a different way in Chrome 76, released last year, the problem persists even in the latest version of Chrome 83, which was released recently, according to a report in ZDNet.

It remains possible to detect incognito mode in Chrome, as well as other Chromium-based browsers, such as Edge, Opera, Vivaldi, and Brave, which share the core of Chrome’s codebase. The complaint claims that Google has yet to set a timeframe to fix the issue.

Search-engine rival DuckDuckGo used news of the class-action suit as an opportunity to laud its own technology, which it offers as an alternative to Google search as a way to allow people to search and use the web privately.

Google Developers:          Reuters:         ZDNet:       Threatpost:     

You Might Also Read: 

The Age Of Surveillance Capitalism Dawns:

Google Challenged For Collecting American Health Data:

 

 

 

« Attacks On Anti-Racism Sites Surge
Nuclear Missile Contractor Hacked »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall And Why Does It Matter

ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: What Is A Next-Generation Firewall And Why Does It Matter

See how to use next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) and how they boost your security posture.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

Trust in Digital Life (TDL)

Trust in Digital Life (TDL)

TDL is a membership association comprising companies, SMEs, universities and research institutes who exchange experience and insights to make digital services in Europe trustworthy and safe.

CyberInt

CyberInt

CyberInt’s Managed Detection and Response services span globally and include some of the top finance, retail and telecommunication organizations.

NetFort

NetFort

NetFort provides software products to monitor activity on virtual and physical networks.

Sternum

Sternum

Sternum provides reliable and effective endpoint security for any IoT device, using robust technology and seamless integration.

Romanian Accreditation Association (RENAR)

Romanian Accreditation Association (RENAR)

RENAR is the national accreditation body for Romania. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum

Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum

The mission of the Cybersecurity Collaboration Forum is to foster information security communication and idea sharing across the C-Suite, enabling leaders to better protect their enterprises.

u-blox

u-blox

u-blox deliver leading wireless technology to reliably and securely locate and connect people and devices.

Critical Insight

Critical Insight

Critical Insight provide Managed Detection and Response, Vulnerability Detection, and Consulting Services to help you secure your mission-critical systems.

Cloudrise

Cloudrise

Cloudrise are elevating cloud security, data protection, and privacy through assessment, technology enablement, and process automation.

Gorodissky IP Security

Gorodissky IP Security

Gorodissky IP Security is a comprehensive approach to protecting your intellectual property on the Internet and beyond.

Hold Security

Hold Security

Hold Security works with companies of all sizes to provide unparalleled Threat Intelligence services that actually make a difference.

Innovex Global

Innovex Global

Innovex is a full-service executive search and advisory business that engages with early-stage startups, scale-ups, and established businesses in the Fintech, Cybersecurity and Technology industries.

Data Protection Commission (DPC)

Data Protection Commission (DPC)

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals in the EU to have their personal data protected.

National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) - Netherlands

National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) - Netherlands

The NCTV serves the Netherlands’ national security. We protect national interests, identify threats and strengthen resilience.

Dynamic Networks

Dynamic Networks

Dynamic Networks provide Managed Cloud Services; Unified Communications; Security & Compliance Services and Network & Infrastructure Services for both Public Sector and Private sector businesses.

Armata Cyber Security

Armata Cyber Security

Armata exists to bring Cyber Security to all people – from home users and SMBs to large enterprises. We believe all users have the right to an affordable yet effective Cyber Security solution.