WebProNews

Tag: Mark Brnovich

  • Google Sued For Tracking Users, Even When They Opt Out

    Google Sued For Tracking Users, Even When They Opt Out

    Google is facing yet another privacy-related lawsuit, this one alleging the company tracks users even after they opt out.

    The lawsuit, filed in the US district court in San Jose, claims that Google uses Firebase to continue monitoring users and tailoring ads to them. Google’s Firebase is used for notifications, alerts, data storage, ads and tracking software glitches, as well as user interactions, such as clicks. Many developers use the tool in their apps.

    According to Reuters, the lawsuit alleges that “even when consumers follow Google’s own instructions and turn off ‘Web & App Activity’ tracking on their ‘Privacy Controls,’ Google nevertheless continues to intercept consumers’ app usage and app browsing communications and personal information.”

    The lawsuit also claims that Google uses Firebase to tailor its ads, effectively using it as an end-run around tracking. The firm filing the lawsuit is seeking class-action status.

    This is not the only lawsuit Google is facing for ignoring opt-out settings. Earlier this year, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed a lawsuit against the company for continuing to track users after they opt out.

    Needless to say, this is not a good look for Google when the company is facing increased scrutiny in both the US and the EU for privacy issues and anti-competitive practices.

  • Arizona Sues Google For Collecting Location Data After Users Opt Out

    Arizona Sues Google For Collecting Location Data After Users Opt Out

    Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming the search giant collects location data even after users opt out.

    Google has been under increasing scrutiny, both in the US and Europe, over its privacy practices. Arizona is the latest to take the search giant to task, claiming it is illegally collecting information on its users.

    “While Google users are led to believe they can opt-out of location tracking, the company exploits other avenues to invade personal privacy,” said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. “It’s nearly impossible to stop Google from tracking your movements without your knowledge or consent. This is contrary to the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and even the most innovative companies must operate within the law.”

    The Arizona AG began its investigation in 2018, in the wake of an Associated Press article calling Google out for blatantly lying to its users about when their data was being collected. That report proved that Google continued to track users, despite telling them their location would not be stored if Location History was turned off. Instead, the company simply used one of any number of other methods to continue tracking their customers’ locations.

    In the course of the investigation, Arizona discovered “that Google uses deceptive and unfair practices to collect as much user information as possible and makes it exceedingly difficult for users to understand what’s being done with their data, let alone opt-out.”

    It will be interesting to see how Google responds although, looking at the court filing, it appears the Arizona AG has meticulously built a solid case.