Emerson Firm Announces Ongoing Investigation of Google Tracking Chrome User Data

Written by

Emerson Firm, PLLC announces that it is continuing its investigation into alleged Google tracking of people who used the Chrome browser’s incognito mode.

It has been alleged that Google tracks and collects consumers’ history and other Web activity no matter what safeguards consumers undertake to protect their data privacy. Even when Google users launch a Web browser with private browsing mode activated (as Google recommends to users wishing to browse the Web privately), Google nevertheless tracks the users’ browsing data and other identifying information.

These issues relate to all individuals with a Google account who accessed a website page containing Google Analytics or Ad Manager and who were (a) in private browsing mode in that device’s browser, and (b) did not log into their Google account on that device’s web browser during that session. The relevant time period is June 1, 2016 through the present.

Houston, Texas law firm Emerson Firm, PLLC represents many consumers throughout the nation. Emerson Firm, PLLC and its predecessor firms have devoted their practice to complex commercial litigation for more than thirty-eight years and have recovered more than a billion dollars for consumers in class actions throughout the United States.

If you are a person who is concerned about your privacy and used Google as described above, then this matter should concern you. Please contact us and we will discuss these matters with you and research whether your rights have been violated under your state’s laws.

IMPORTANT: Please contact us with your inquiry using the form below or via e-mail to Tanya Autry (tautry@emersonfirm.com) or John G. Emerson (jemerson@emersonfirm.com) and we will promptly get back to you to discuss your situation.

    Google lawsuit seeks $5 billion for illegally invading user privacy.

    Written by

    Google sued for illegally invading user privacy.

    In a recent report Google is being sued in a proposed class action accusing the internet search company of illegally invading the privacy of millions of users by pervasively tracking their internet use through browsers set in “private” mode. The Google lawsuit seeks at least $5 billion, accusing the Alphabet Inc unit of collecting information about what people view online and where they browse, despite their using what Google calls Incognito mode.

    Google’s actions violate Federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.

    According to the Complaint filed in the federal court in San Jose, 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.

    This helps Google learn about users’ friends, hobbies, favorite foods, shopping habits, and even the “most intimate and potentially embarrassing things” they search for online, the complaint said. Google “cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone,” the complaint said.

    While users may view private browsing as a safe haven from watchful eyes, computer security researchers have long raised concern that Google and rivals might augment user profiles by tracking people’s identities across different browsing modes, combining data from private and ordinary internet surfing.

    The complaint said the proposed class likely includes “millions” of Google users who since June 1, 2016 browsed the internet in “private” mode.

    Persons who meet eligibility requirements could receive $5,000 in damages.

    The Google lawsuit seeks at least $5,000 of damages per user for violations of federal wiretapping and California privacy laws.

    Paragraph 95 of the Complaint sets out the eligibility requirements for prospective claimants.

    • Class 1 – All Android device owners who viewed a website page containing Google Analytics or Ad Manager using such a device, and who were (a) in “private browsing mode” on that device’s browser, and (b) did not log into their Google account on that device’s browser during that session, but whose communications, including identifying information and online browsing history, Defendant Google nevertheless intercepted, received, or collected from June 1, 2016 through the present (the “Class Period”).
    • Class 2 – All individuals with a Google account who accessed a website page containing Google Analytics or Ad Manager using any non-android device, and who were (a) in “private browsing mode” in that device’s browser, and (b) did not log into their Google account on that device’s web browser during that session, but whose communications, including identifying information and online browsing history, Defendant Google nevertheless intercepted, received, or collected from June 1, 2016 through the present

    If you meet any of the above requirements, please contact Emerson Firm today .

    Call Us Toll Free at 1-800-551-8649