Google sued for at least USD 5B over tracking users browsing in incognito mode

Google is being sued for gathering data from its users even if they're using Chrome's "Incognito" mode.

Googleplex in Mountain View, California, United States

Google Incognito Mode saves users' browsing history?

According to a New York-based law firm Boies Schiller & Flexner, Google's presentation of incognito mode on Chrome "intentionally deceive[s] consumers." The firm is seeking a minimum of USD 5 billion in damages on the aforementioned grounds.

In case you forgot, when you open a Google Chrome in incognito mode, the program does not save your search history. However, analytics data is still sent to the websites you visit via Google Analytics and Google Ad Manager.

Once opened, the incognito mode prompts that the data may still be visible to "websites you visit," "your employer or school," and "your Internet service provider."

Google Chrome's Incognito mode

According to an exclusive interview with Business Insider, it is upfront with its users that their data from browsing incognito might be sent to third parties. 

We strongly dispute these claims and we will defend ourselves vigorously against them, a Google spokesman told Business Insider.

Incognito mode in Chrome gives you the choice to browse the internet without your activity being saved to your browser or device. 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, he added.

The lawsuit seeks a minimum of USD 5,000 per plaintiff and currently has three plaintiffs attached to it. 

What do you guys think?

Source: Business Insider