In August, we reported that Google could be hit with a NOK 51 billion fine related to Chrome's incognito mode.
The company must be willing to complete the order
The case addressed Google Chrome's “secret” mode, which the plaintiffs believed was no secret at all:
“This is just one of the issues that affected the browser: In June 2020 we followed up on a case related only to Google: 'Did they spy?' Google risks fines of NOK 47.4 billion. This is a situation that is now slowly but surely continuing in California.
Furthermore, we reported in August of this year after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers did not agree to end the class action lawsuit:
“According to the charges, Google must have collected information about what people browse, including what is mentioned with active private mode. According to the lawsuit, Google collects information from, among other things, Google Analytics, Google Ads Manager, and a number of services.” And other browser extensions. Mobile apps are also included. All of this to learn about users' shopping habits and “most intimate and potentially embarrassing things,” according to the lawsuit filed in the summer of 2020.
This is what Google thinks
Google has previously defended itself by sending a message to users in confidential mode that users' activity on the websites they visit can still be viewed.
We strongly reject these accusations and will defend ourselves against them. Chrome's incognito mode gives you the option to browse without saving your activity on your browser or device. As we clearly mention every time you open a new incognito tab, websites may collect information about your browsing activity during the session.
Google, August 2023
Now Google has “indicated” that it is willing to say it is done with the case, so it will likely pay billions of kroner. It is not known exactly how much they will spend, but the documents outlining the plan will be submitted in January, and the court will conclude its work on the eve of February next year.
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