A US federal court has ordered Google to pay $425 million after a major Google privacy breach was confirmed. The case revealed that Google collected user data even when millions of people had turned off tracking features, raising serious concerns about how tech companies protect personal information.
The lawsuit began in 2020 when nearly 98 million users accused Google of secretly gathering their activity data. The Google privacy breach reportedly involved more than 170 million devices and extended to popular apps such as Uber, Amazon, Instagram, and Facebook. Plaintiffs argued that Google misled users by suggesting they could control or stop data collection through the Web & App Activity setting, when in reality, the company allegedly continued tracking in the background.
Originally, the plaintiffs sought more than $30 billion in damages. After months of court hearings and legal arguments, the jury awarded $425 million, making it one of the most significant penalties against the company over privacy issues.
Google denied any wrongdoing and insisted its systems respected privacy. The company argued that the collected information was non-personal, encrypted, and used responsibly. A spokesperson defended the company, stating, “Our privacy tools give people control over their data, and when they turn off personalization, we honor that choice.” Despite this defense, the court ruled that Google failed to respect user privacy settings.
This Google privacy breach adds to a growing list of legal troubles for the tech giant. In recent years, the company has faced lawsuits over its advertising practices, location tracking, and use of biometric data such as face recognition. Some of these cases have resulted in billion-dollar settlements, further highlighting the pressure on Google to reform its data practices.
The latest ruling sends a strong message that regulators and courts are taking a tougher stance on how major tech firms handle sensitive information. With more Google privacy breach cases under investigation worldwide, the company now faces mounting scrutiny over its responsibility to protect users’ personal data.
The outcome of this case not only impacts Google but also signals to the wider tech industry that transparency and respect for user choices are no longer optional—they are legal and financial necessities.
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