In a decision denying Google's motion for summary judgment, U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected the company' argument that incognito users consented to data collection. “Because Google never explicitly told users that it does so, the Court cannot find as a matter of law that users explicitly consented to the at-issue data collection.”A Google spokesperson says the company disputes the claims and will defend itself. “Incognito mode in Chrome gives you the choice to browse the internet without your activity being saved to your browser or device,” the spokesperson stated. They alleged that even in incognito mode, visiting a site that uses Google Analytics or Google Ad Manager results in Google's collection of IP addresses, browser and device information, and web pages' content. “The Privacy Policy and Account Holder Agreements disclose that Google collects the at-issue data when users visit websites choosing to use Google services and that Google may use the data for advertising,” the company wrote in its bid for summary judgment.

Source: New York Times August 08, 2023 17:18 UTC