A federal judge ruled that Google must face a privacy class action lawsuit for collecting data from users’ phones without consent, paving the way for a trial.
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| Google's attempt to dismiss a privacy lawsuit is denied, as a judge rules that the company must face claims of unauthorized data collection from mobile devices. Image/ Illustration: ChicHue |
Washington, USA --- January 9, 2025:
A federal judge ruled on Tuesday that Google must face a class action lawsuit over allegations it collected personal data from users’ mobile phones even after they disabled tracking features, potentially setting the stage for a trial in August. Chief Judge Richard Seeborg, presiding over the case in San Francisco, rejected Google’s motion to dismiss the suit, which claims the company violated privacy rights by tracking users without consent.
The lawsuit accuses Google of continuing to collect and save browsing histories from users of Android and non-Android devices, despite users turning off the "Web & App Activity" setting, which was supposed to stop such tracking. The plaintiffs allege that Google violated California’s law against unauthorized access to computer systems and fraudulent computer access.
In his decision, Seeborg criticized Google’s conduct, noting that its disclosures regarding how the Web & App Activity settings function were unclear and potentially misleading. He pointed out that reasonable users might consider Google’s actions “highly offensive” since the company continued to track data even after internal concerns were raised by employees about the practice. The judge also referenced internal communications that suggested Google was deliberately vague about the nature of data collection, fearing that users would find the truth “alarming.”
While Seeborg acknowledged that Google employees might have simply been offering ways to improve the company's products, he stated that the case involves a “triable issue of fact,” meaning it should be decided by a jury.
In response to the ruling, Google issued a statement defending its privacy controls, calling the claims “patently false” and stating that it would continue to make its case in court. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
If the case proceeds to trial, it could have significant implications for Google’s data collection practices and its transparency with users.