Google sued by four attorneys for tracking user location without consent

After a three year investigation on Google’s Privacy, four separate lawsuits have been filed by attorneys of Columbia, Washington, Indiana and Texas for tracing user location even after denying it.

Google has built a $1.7 trillion dollar business by collecting user information, and also has made disingenuous privacy claims to users since 2014 as per the lawsuits.

Google sued for its design-based manipulations

As per the lawsuits, Google has equipped false promises with several design-based manipulations named ‘dark patterns’ which urged the users to allow Google to gain data access. It also made users by making them believe that changing accounts and device settings will protect their privacy and manage the personal data available to Google, however the attorneys are claiming to be false. D.C Attorney General Karl Racine added that Google continues to surveil users and profit from those data, and is a clear violation of consumer privacy.

The GPS tracking data is later used for targeting consumers through Google Ads and Organic Searches based on the geography of the individuals. These personalized Ads will give better performance thus the profit. Adding to the location data, Google also seems to collect the Wi-Fi data, advertising partners and via other Google services which will continue to exist even after the consumers change their Google accounts or alter their device location tracking settings.

Challenges for Google against these lawsuits

Lawsuits are already targeting major tech giants and Google has now been added to their list of antitrust, no-consent abuse, and non-compliance over consumer data. These lawsuits have only made things challenging for Google and the attorneys have requested for legislative action to be taken upon the search engine giant.

They urge the big tech companies to stop this abuse of consumer data and meet their promises in privacy protection and not manipulate users privacy for their own financial benefits.

The lawsuits also request Congress to bring a strong privacy protection law that will ensure the data security and privacy of Americans.

Google’s stand against the lawsuits

Google spokesperson said that the Attorney Generals have filed the case without proper evidence and just using speculation or inaccurate claims. Google’s products hold privacy within all of its products including solid control over the location data. He also added that Google denies the claims and will defend against the same.

The Spokesperson also mentioned that Google’s design has only improved to make things simple for consumers thus enabling them to have control over their device settings including GPS tracking and sharing the data with Google. Other improvements include transparency, data minimization, enhanced controls, better defaults, restricted location access and simple settings. Though Google sued by attorneys, the company denies the claims and states they are inaccurate.

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