Tech News Summary:
- Google has agreed to pay $350 million to settle a shareholder lawsuit related to a security bug in its now-defunct Google+ social networking website, pending approval from the U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson.
- The settlement resolves claims that Google hid a three-year software flaw that exposed users’ personal data, leading to a drop in the company’s market value and facing public and regulatory scrutiny.
- The settlement comes after Google reached a related $7.5 million settlement with Google+ users in 2020 and is another example of tech companies facing consequences for mishandling user data.
In a major development, tech giant Google has agreed to a $350 million settlement in a high-profile data privacy lawsuit. The lawsuit, which was filed by several states and consumers, alleged that Google illegally collected and monetized personal information from users without their consent.
The settlement, which is one of the largest in a data privacy case, signals a significant victory for consumer privacy rights. It also serves as a warning to other tech companies that they will be held accountable for mishandling user data.
As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to make significant changes to its data privacy practices, including providing more transparency to users about how their data is being collected and used. The company has also committed to enhancing its privacy controls and implementing stricter data protection measures.
In a statement, Google acknowledged the settlement and emphasized its commitment to protecting user privacy. The company stated, “We take our users’ privacy and security very seriously and are committed to upholding the highest standards of data protection. We believe the changes we are making as part of this settlement will further strengthen our data privacy practices and provide our users with greater control over their personal information.”
The settlement is a significant step forward in the ongoing battle to hold tech companies accountable for their handling of user data. It underscores the importance of strong data privacy regulations and serves as a reminder to tech companies that they must prioritize consumer privacy in their operations.