Incognito's "incognito" mode on Google's Chrome browser gives users the false impression that the online search giant is not tracking them, according to plaintiffs (Google).

Google intends to take the initiative to delete data collected from millions of users while browsing the Internet, according to what was stipulated in an agreement signed on Monday to end a lawsuit against it, related to the confidentiality of personal information, according to what was reported by the German News Agency.

The class action lawsuit filed in 2020 dealt with the “Incognito” mode on Google’s Chrome browser, which gives users the false impression that the online search giant is not tracking them, according to the plaintiffs.

They accuse the company, which leads digital advertising in the world, of misleading them about how Chrome tracks users of this private browsing option.

The lawyers explained in the lawsuit submitted Monday to the San Francisco court that “the plaintiffs’ efforts resulted in important confessions from employees at Google,” including documents describing incognito mode as “practically a lie,” and “a problem in professional ethics and basics of integrity,” acknowledging that “ "Causes confusion." The agreement, if approved by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, would spare Google from prosecution, but would require it to "delete and/or process billions of data records" collected while users were browsing in incognito mode.

The document considered that "this agreement is a historic milestone because it requires dominant technology companies to be honest in what they tell users about how their data is collected and used, and (requires them) to delete the data collected in this way."

Google pledged to rephrase the notification displayed in incognito mode “immediately,” so that it “informs users that it collects private browsing data.”

The company will have to block third-party cookies in incognito mode, which are programs specifically used to track users online and target them with ads. Google has already begun its move toward the end of these cookies, which have been heavily criticized.

The agreement does not stipulate the payment of compensation, while the complaint filed in 2020 demanded $5 billion. But it leaves Chrome users who feel they have been harmed the option of suing Google separately for damages.

Source: German