Google To Pay $85 Million To End Arizona Consumer-Privacy Suit (bloomberg.com) 8
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Alphabet's Google will pay $85 million to resolve a consumer privacy suit by Arizona claiming the technology giant surreptitiously collects data on users' whereabouts for targeted advertising. The settlement comes as Google is facing similar complaints by a group of state attorneys general, including Texas, Indiana and Washington D.C., in their respective state courts, over user location data. Arizona accused Google in a May 2020 complaint of violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act by gathering location data even after users opt out of a feature that records location history through other settings such as "Web & App Activity." Google, in its defense, had argued that the state consumer protection law requires that alleged fraud is connected to a sale or advertisement. In January, an Arizona state judge denied Google's request to dismiss the case. The settlement represents the largest amount per individual user Google has paid in "a privacy and consumer-fraud lawsuit of this kind," Attorney General Mark Brnovich's office said in a statement on Tuesday. "I am proud of this historic settlement that proves no entity, not even big tech companies, is above the law."
Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson said Arizona's suit was based on old product policies that the company changed years ago. "We provide straightforward controls and auto delete options for location data, and are always working to minimize the data we collect," they said. "We are pleased to have this matter resolved and will continue to focus our attention on providing useful products for our users."
Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson said Arizona's suit was based on old product policies that the company changed years ago. "We provide straightforward controls and auto delete options for location data, and are always working to minimize the data we collect," they said. "We are pleased to have this matter resolved and will continue to focus our attention on providing useful products for our users."
Not even a drop in their bucket. (Score:3, Insightful)
Alphabet's revenue last year was $278 Billion. $85 million isn't even a rounding error in their budget. If we're actually going to fine companies, we need to make fines that they'll actually notice. Otherwise they won't care.
Re: (Score:2)
True, but this was just ONE state. If other states had similar laws in place at the time of this issue (which Google claims to have later fixed), then thye could sue as well. 85 million x 52 states is more significant, and then add in other world jurisdictions.
85 mil here, 85 mil there, all of a sudden we are talking about billions, not millions.
This just highlights how important it is to have good privacy laws.
Make it $85 billion, because they don't get it. (Score:3)
"We provide straightforward controls and auto delete options for location data, and are always working to minimize the data we collect,"
As long as that is their statement, they've clearly not got the message. They are flat out lying without remorse.
Meanwhile... (Score:2)
Sundar Pinchai rummages through his couch cushions, and finds $100MM that he dropped.
is anybody in jail ? (Score:1)
"I am proud of this historic settlement that proves no entity, not even big tech companies, is above the law."
Nobody went to jail, The DA just proved that the Google is above the law.