Accessibility links

Breaking News

Business and Technology

Google to Settle "Tracking" Suit - Report

FILE: The logo for Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City. Taken November 17, 2021.
FILE: The logo for Google LLC is seen at the Google Store Chelsea in Manhattan, New York City. Taken November 17, 2021.

Alphabet's Google will pay about $400 million to settle a complaint brought by a group of U.S. states over allegations the search and advertising giant illegally tracked users' locations, two people familiar with the matter said.

The lawsuit, which includes Oregon, sources said, is a sign of mounting legal headaches for the tech company from U.S. state attorneys general who have aggressively targeted the firm's user tracking practices in recent months.

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

Arizona filed a similar case against Google and settled it for $85 million in October 2022.

Google had revenue of $111 billion from advertising in the first half of this year, more than any other seller of online ads. A consumer's location is key to helping an advertiser cut through the digital clutter to make the ad more relevant and grab the consumer's attention.

As an example, if a target customer is located in Chicago, ads for goods and services in that metro area would be sent to that person's mobile and computer.

But privacy advocates say such "locating" can be misused.

See all News Updates of the Day

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals

Africa News Tonight: Kenya works to block mpox spread, Nigeria moves closer to BRICS, China seeks to build support in Africa for its goals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports

Africa News Tonight: MSF leaves Khartoum hospital, Somalia, Ethiopia mend ties, steel maker quits South Africa in face of cheap imports
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition

Africa News Tonight: Fears grow about freed prisoners in Syria, nations seek new defense strategy, Seychelles sees great-power competition
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal

Africa News Tonight: FBI broadens probe in New Orleans attack, African nations struggle with debt, Carter effort led to landmark peace deal
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals

Africa News Tonight: Carter funeral plans underway, Guinea opposition will not recognize military rule, Apple denies using conflict minerals
please wait

No media source currently available

0:00 0:24:55 0:00
Direct link

Load more

XS
SM
MD
LG