Google agrees to $400m settlement in privacy lawsuit

Google will pay $391.5 million to settle a location tracking lawsuit brought against it by 40 US states that claimed the big data behemoth continued surveilling consumers' movements even after these users explicitly told the Chocolate Factory to stop tracking them. It then used this data to rake in advertising dollars, …

[Potemkine!]

Google, per the settlement agreement [PDF], does not admit to any wrongdoing or violating any laws.

And that's the problem. If you don't admit your fault, you can not progress.It's an indication Google doesn't intend to change its mind on using deceptive tactics and strategies.

== Bring us Dabbsy back! ==

[Pascal Monett]

It's paying almost $400 million

Why should it do so if it didn't do anything wrong ?

Google admits no wrongdoing ? Fine. Take the CEO, put him in the middle of town square and flog him until he admits wrongdoing.

I'm sick of this bullshit.

[RyokuMas]

Chump change... again

Once again, a result that's in Google's favour bought by chump change.

Where's a legal team with the conjones to refuse to accept any settlement and force the case through to its full conclusion? Where's a judge wit the guts to rule against Google, force them to admit to their activities publicly and on the record, and levy a fine appropriate to the magnitude of their operation?

Land of the free, home of the paid-off. God bless America!

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Chump change... again

Problem is that Google (and Apple etc.) have the resources to tie up pretty much any legal team "the opposition" put together almost indefinitely - so a settlement always looks good to the plaintiff. Only way for this to change is for a large State backed proceeding.

[Wade Burchette]

Re: Chump change... again

The federal and state Congresses can also write laws to change these types of legal procedures. But if ever a representative introduces such a bill, Google, Apple, et al will mobilize their lobbyists and sweeten their bribes and put a stop to it.

[Trollslayer]

I have just had a dream...

Google and Amazon merge!

[NLCSGRV]

Re: I have just had a dream...

Dream or nightmare?

[localzuk]

One rule for them

Another rule for the rest of us.

[ConcernedCitizen]

Pimp?

Stop means Stop! Citizens get screwed by corporation and government gets paid(again). Is there a word for that?

[RyokuMas]

Re: Pimp?

Yeah: "life".

[Dimmer]

Bribes

Remove fines and institute restitution. The judges should never get any money from those that they judge.

The only way to change this is to elect those that will change it.