Google sued for $5 billion for tracking people in incognito mode

Tech giant Google faces legal action in the United States (US) for illegally tracking users when in ‘private mode’ even.

Google has been sued in the US over claims it illegally invades the privacy of users by tracking people even when they are in ‘private mode’.

Google and owner Alphabet are set to face charges of at least $5bn.

Many internet users assume their search history isn’t being tracked when they view in private mode, but Google denies all the allegations.

The search engine denies this is illegal and says it is upfront about the data it collects in this mode.

The proposed class action likely includes “millions” of Google users who since 1 June 2016 browsed the internet in private mode according to law firm Boies Schiller Flexner who filed the claim in federal court in California.

Incognito mode within Google’s Chrome browser gives users the choice to search the internet without their activity being saved to the browser or device.

The complaint says that Google cannot continue to engage in the covert and unauthorized data collection from virtually every American with a computer or phone.

Denying the claims Google spokesman Jose Castaneda said: “As we clearly state each time you open a new incognito tab, websites might be able to collect information about your browsing activity”.

The search engine says the collection of search history, even in private viewing mode, helps site owners “better evaluate the performance of their content, products, marketing and more.”