Google agreed to settle two privacy lawsuits that cost $9.5 million from Washington DC and $20 million from Indiana over its location tracking practices. Aside from the settlement, the company also agreed to change some of its practices regarding how they collect, store, and use location data.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: People walk past the Google pavilion at CES 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and features about 4,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees.
by Mario Tama/Getty Images
(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 08: People walk past the Google pavilion at CES 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 8, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and features about 4,500 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees.
Washington DC Lawsuit
In a report from Engadget, Alphabet's Google will be settling a $9.5 million lawsuit brought by Washington DC Attorney General Karl Racine, as he accused the company in January of invading its users' privacy. The Consumer Protection Procedures act was also violated by the company to continue earning money with the collected data.
WIN: My office reached a settlement with Google requiring the company to pay $9.5 million for deceiving and manipulating consumers—including by using "dark patterns" to trick users and gain access to their location data.
The complaint states, "Google leads consumers to believe that consumers are in control of whether Google collects and retains information about their location and how that information is used. In reality, consumers who use Google products cannot prevent Google from collecting, storing and profiting from their location."
Aside from this, CNET reported that Google was also accused of using dark patterns to trick users into doing something that will not benefit them. The Attorney General's office said that the search engine told its users to switch in location tracking in certain applications to work properly. But according to their research, this was not necessary.
Racine said in his statement that doing this move is only fair for consumers so they will be aware of how important their data is, given that technology companies manipulate their users for tracking and surveillance.
"Significantly, this resolution also provides users with the ability and choice to opt of being tracked, as well as restrict the manner in which user information may be shared with third parties," he added.
Indiana Lawsuit
Another $20 million will be resolved by Google for the same reasons, filed by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. The investigation started in 2018 after an article from Associated Press that talked about how the company tracks location through its history.
According to the lawsuit, the search engine company was accused of using location data to build detailed profiles and target online advertisements, deceiving and misleading its users since 2014 regarding its practices.
Rokita stated that no matter how big or little the amount of location data, it still can expose a certain person's identity and routines including political and religious affiliations, income, health status, support groups, marriage, and children.
Although the company settled the amount, Google did not admit this act as part of the deal between the two parties.
Google also agreed to improve its disclosure regarding location tracking starting next year. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum stated, "For years Google has prioritized profit over their users' privacy. They have been crafty and deceptive."
