• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Lifestyle

Google ‘private browsing’ mode not really private, Texas lawsuit says

19 May 2022, 5:58 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
Paxton previously alleged Google misled consumers by continuing to track their location even when users sought to prevent it.

Paxton previously alleged Google misled consumers by continuing to track their location even when users sought to prevent it.

Image: Reuters

Paxton previously alleged Google misled consumers by continuing to track their location even when users sought to prevent it.

The Google search engine collects data on users who think they can be anonymous if they use a “private browsing” mode, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton claimed on Thursday, filing an amended privacy lawsuit against the Alphabet Inc unit.

Texas, Indiana, Washington State and the District of Columbia filed separate suits against Google in January in state courts over what they called deceptive location-tracking practices that invade users’ privacy.

Paxton’s filing adds Google’s Incognito mode to the lawsuit filed in January. Incognito mode or “private browsing” is a web browser function that Paxton said implies Google will not track search history or location activity.

The lawsuit said Google offers the option of “private browsing” that could include “viewing highly personal websites that might indicate, for example, their medical history, political persuasion, or sexual orientation. Or maybe they simply want to buy a surprise gift without the gift recipient being tipped off by a barrage of targeted ads.”

The suit said “in reality, Google deceptively collects an array of personal data even when a user has engaged Incognito mode.”

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In January, the company said the “attorneys general are bringing a case based on inaccurate claims and outdated assertions about our settings. We have always built privacy features into our products and provided robust controls for location data.”

Paxton previously alleged Google misled consumers by continuing to track their location even when users sought to prevent it.

Google has a “Location History” setting and informs users if they turn it off “the places you go are no longer stored,” Texas said.

In January an Arizona judge ruled allegations Google deceived users with unclear smartphone location tracking settings should be weighed by a jury, refusing to toss out a lawsuit brought by the state’s attorney general.

Share article
Previous Post

Transport industry heavily affected by recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal

Next Post

Jordan’s King restricts Prince Hamza’s communications, residency, movements

Related Posts

R. Kelly's bid for leniency was detailed in a Tuesday filing in Brooklyn federal court, one day before the 55-year-old known for the 1996 smash "I Believe I Can Fly" will be sentenced.

R. Kelly seeks 10 years in prison, the minimum, as sentencing looms in sex case

29 June 2022, 4:13 AM
British socialite, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in December of five charges, including sex trafficking a minor, for recruiting and grooming four girls to have sexual encounters with Jeffrey Epstein, then her boyfriend, between 1994 and 2004.

Ghislaine Maxwell sentenced to 20 years for ‘horrific’ sex trafficking

28 June 2022, 11:16 PM
The group feels threatened and the continuous attacks have worsened matters.

KwaZulu-Natal LGBTQI+ community living in fear amid frequent attacks

28 June 2022, 8:36 PM
An illustration depicting a distressed man.

Western Cape local gentlemen’s club seeks to address men’s mental health challenges

28 June 2022, 7:07 PM
Fashionistas show off their dresses at the 2018 Durban July.

eThekwini ready to host Durban July physical experience in two years

28 June 2022, 3:42 PM
Funeral service for some members of the Cradock Four.

Inqaba yesizwe exhibition honours the Cradock Four at Rhodes University

28 June 2022, 10:26 AM
Next Post
Jordan's Crown Prince Hamza bin Hussein

Jordan's King restricts Prince Hamza's communications, residency, movements

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • South Africans no longer required to wear face masks indoors
  • E Cape Liquor Board says Enyobeni tavern owner will face criminal charges
  • Zulu Royal Palace abuzz as King Misuzulu’s cleansing ceremony continues
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • Mosimane alleges sabotage from CAF President Patrice Motsepe
  • SANTACO and NTA calls on COSATU to join the national shutdown over the hiking fuel prices
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Russian crude has been selling at heavy discounts of $30 to $40 per barrel.
  • Business

G7 discussions with China, India on Russian oil price cap positive – Source


The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six counterparts, eased 0.08% to 104.39, giving back some of its 0.53% rally overnight, spurred mainly by weakness in the euro.
  • Business

Dollar falters as US yields retreat amid recession risks


An electric car is seen plugged in at a charging point for electric vehicles in Rome, Italy, April 28, 2021.
  • Sci-tech

EU countries reach deal on climate laws after late-night talks


R. Kelly's bid for leniency was detailed in a Tuesday filing in Brooklyn federal court, one day before the 55-year-old known for the 1996 smash "I Believe I Can Fly" will be sentenced.
  • Lifestyle

R. Kelly seeks 10 years in prison, the minimum, as sentencing looms in sex case


Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
  • World
  • Russia, Ukraine conflict

Zelenskyy urges action in UN address, Russia calls it ‘PR campaign’ for weapons


Some 55% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a separate Ipsos poll conducted on Monday and Tuesday.
  • World

Americans’ approval of Supreme Court drops after abortion decision- Reuters/Ipsos


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Transport industry heavily affected by recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal
Next Jordan’s King restricts Prince Hamza’s communications, residency, movements