Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Susanne Young today announced that Vermont will receive $4 million from a multistate settlement with Google over its location tracking practices related to Google Account settings. The settlement also requires Google to be more transparent with consumers about its practices, including giving users detailed information about the types of location data Google collects and how it’s used.
The multistate settlement announced today was negotiated by a coalition of 40 attorneys general and totals $391.5 million. It is the largest multistate privacy settlement negotiated by attorneys general in history.
“Vermonters deserve to make informed decisions about how their location data is being tracked,” said Attorney General Young. “This settlement highlights the importance of protecting consumer privacy and demonstrates that the Attorney General’s Office will continue to hold companies accountable for disregarding the privacy concerns of Vermonters and violating the law.”
Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. Google uses the personal and behavioral data it collects to build detailed user profiles and target ads on behalf of its advertising customers. Location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects. Even a limited amount of location data can expose a person’s identity and routines and can be used to infer personal details.
The attorneys general opened the Google investigation following a 2018 Associated Press article that revealed Google “records your movements even when you explicitly tell it not to.” The article focused on two Google account settings: Location History and Web & App Activity. Location History is “off” unless a user turns on the setting, but Web & App Activity, a separate account setting, is automatically “on” when users set up a Google account, including all Android phone users.
As detailed in the settlement, the attorneys general found that Google violated state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about its location tracking practices since at least 2014. Specifically, Google caused users to be confused about the scope of the Location History setting, the fact that the Web & App Activity setting existed and also collected location information, and the extent to which consumers who use Google products and services could limit Google’s location tracking by adjusting their account and device settings.
The settlement requires Google to be more transparent with consumers about its practices. Google must:
The settlement also limits Google’s use and storage of certain types of location information and requires Google account controls to be more user-friendly.
A copy of the settlement is available here.
11.14.2022. MONTPELIER – Attorney General
24World Media does not take any responsibility of the information you see on this page. The content this page contains is from independent third-party content provider. If you have any concerns regarding the content, please free to write us here: contact@24worldmedia.com
4 Advantages of Owning Your Own Dump Truck
5 Characteristics of Truth and Consequences in NM
How To Make Your Wedding More Accessible
Ensure Large-Format Printing Success With These Tips
4 Reasons To Consider an Artificial Lawn
The Importance of Industrial Bearings in Manufacturing
5 Tips for Getting Your First Product Out the Door
Most Popular Metal Alloys for Industrial Applications
5 Errors To Avoid in Your Pharmaceutical Clinical Trial
Ways You Can Make Your Mining Operation Cleaner
Tips for Starting a New Part of Your Life
Easy Ways To Beautify Your Home’s Exterior