Security News > 2024 > April > Google agrees to delete Chrome browsing data of 136 million users

Google has agreed to delete billions of data records collected from 136 million Chrome users in the United States, as part of a lawsuit settlement regarding alleged undisclosed browser data collection while in Incognito mode.

Key elements of the Settlement include changes to Google's disclosures regarding its data collection practices, the deletion of billions of data records, implementing measures to curb the future accumulation of personal information, and eliminating mechanisms that enabled the tracking of users in Incognito mode without their knowledge.

Google also agreed to delete data older than nine months that was collected in December 2023 and earlier, with the process required to finish within 275 days of the Settlement's approval.

"The Settlement also provides relief for Google's past collection of private browsing data through data deletion and remediation. This portion of the Settlement relies on the framework developed by Special Master Douglas Brush," reads the court filing.

"For every data source identified in the Special Master's preservation order that could include private browsing data pre-dating the disclosure changes, Google must delete or remediate all entries that might contain users' at-issue private browsing data."

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https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/google-agrees-to-delete-chrome-browsing-data-of-136-million-users/