![]() “Plaintiffs and Class members had a reasonable expectation of privacy that when using a browser while in ‘private browsing mode,’ Google would not intercept, collect, record, disclose, or otherwise misuse their personal communications,” the complaint reads. They claimed that Google continued to collect browsing and web activity data even after directing users to Incognito mode to keep their activities private. In June 2020, three Google users filed a complaint in California saying that the company had misled them about Incognito browsing. Read more: What doesn’t Incognito mode protect against? Why are Chrome users suing Google over Incognito mode? For example, Incognito sessions are recorded in Google Analytics and provided to website administrators. However, what you do in Incognito mode on Chrome can still be traced back to you, including by Google itself. This means that your activity is not saved on your device, thereby preventing others with access to your device, such as family members, from seeing your searches and stopping cookies from identifying you. When you browse the web with Chrome, users may choose to use an “Incognito” window, also known as “privacy browsing mode.” In Incognito mode, Chrome does not save browsing history, cookies and site data, information entered in forms, and permissions you give to websites. judge has allowed a class-action suit against Google’s tracking practices pertaining to Incognito mode to go to trial. As we clearly state each time you open a new incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity during your session.Browsing in “Incognito mode” while using Google’s Chrome browser may give the illusion of privacy, but the fact is that it does not prevent others, including Google, from tracking you. Incognito mode in Chrome gives you the choice to browse the internet without your activity being saved to your browser or device. We strongly dispute these claims and we will defend ourselves vigorously against them. Update 3/14 11AM ET: Google spokesperson José Castañeda told Engadget the company "strongly dispute" the claims, and that Incognito warns you sites might still track you. Few people read those agreements from start to finish, and that can cause problems when privacy is at stake. The complaint also serves as criticism of companies that bury important information in their terms of service. The lawsuit could force Google to more explicitly tell users what it does and doesn't collect. ![]() It's not clear the general public is aware of Incognito's true behavior, though. ![]() Incognito mode's limitations are well-known among enthusiasts - it's really there to keep sites out of your local search history and cookies, not to block all potentially identifying traffic.īy subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget's Terms and Privacy Policy. Successful class actions frequently lead to payouts that represent a fraction of the damage to customers. It's unclear whether or not the lawsuit will succeed, let alone that there will be meaningful changes or compensation. It reportedly warned that Incognito "does not mean 'invisible'" and that sites could still see activity. The search giant had argued that users agreed to its privacy policy and thus knew Google was collecting data. The chief participants in the lawsuit had accused Google of misleading users, telling them their info was private even as it monitored their habits. Koh determined that Google "did not notify" users it was still collecting data while Incognito's privacy mode was active, giving the plaintiffs enough ground to move forward with their case. As Bloomberg reports, Judge Lucy Koh has denied Google's request to dismiss the class action case. Google now has no choice but to deal with a lawsuit over Incognito mode tracking.
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