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Privacy & surveillanceRulingAgainst
Google intercepted, tracked, collected, and sold consumer mobile app browsing history
In the original complaint filed in July 2020, the plaintiffs said that Google "intercepts, tracks, collects and sells consumer mobile app browsing history and activity data regardless of what safeguards or ‘privacy settings’ consumers undertake to protect their privacy.".
Plaintiffs alleged, on behalf of a class of an estimated 247.7 million persons residing in the United States, that Google violated its users’ privacy rights by continuously tracking their location and storing that data even after users had switched off the “Location History” feature on their devices.
The company maintained its stance even though the eight-person jury concluded Google had been spying in violation of California privacy laws.
Even though the jury came up with a far lower calculation for the damages, one of the lawyers who brought the case against Google hailed the outcome as a victory for privacy protection.
In the previous action, which gave rise to the consent order at issue, the FTC alleged Google had misrepresented its privacy policies to Gmail users when it launched its social networking tool, Google Buzz.
federal jury determined on Wednesday that Alphabet's Google must pay $425 million for invading users' privacy by continuing to collect data for millions of users who had switched off a tracking feature in their Google account.
The verdict comes after a trial in the federal court in San Francisco over allegations that Google over an eight-year period accessed users' mobile devices to collect, save, and use their data, violating privacy assurances under its Web & App Activity setting.
Even though the jury came up with a far lower calculation for the damages, one of the lawyers who brought the case against Google hailed the outcome as a victory for privacy protection.
Google has faced other privacy lawsuits, including one earlier this year where it paid nearly $1.4 billion in a settlement with Texas over allegations the company violated the state's privacy laws.
The jury found Google liable on two of the three claims of privacy violations brought by the plaintiffs.
The verdict comes after a trial in the federal court in San Francisco over allegations that Google over an eight-year period accessed users' mobile devices to collect, save, and use their data, violating privacy assurances under its Web & App Activity setting.
In the original complaint filed in July 2020, the plaintiffs said that Google "intercepts, tracks, collects and sells consumer mobile app browsing history and activity data regardless of what safeguards or ‘privacy settings’ consumers undertake to protect their privacy."
In September, a federal jury in California found Google liable on two counts of privacy violations for continuing to collect the data of millions of users who had turned off a data-tracking setting in their Google Accounts.
The jury agreed with the plaintiffs that this constituted an invasion of privacy, though it didn't agree that Google violated users' privacy with malice, oppression or fraud — a distinction that would have, potentially, allowed the court to demand "disgorgement" of the profits Google made by collecting that data.
$425 Million Google Class Action Lawsuit: Do You Qualify for a Payout? | Kiplinger
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) based its complaint on research by the Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian consumer agency, which claimed Google used “various tricks” to ensure location history and web and app activity were enabled.
Labor & working conditionsAllegationYou decide
Google is accused of terminating employees for union activity
Google is accused of terminating employees for attempting to organize a union.
Google and AI startup to settle lawsuits alleging chatbots led to teen suicide
Privacy & surveillanceAllegationAgainst
Attorney General Karl Racine sued Google over allegations of constant surveillance
Attorney General Karl Racine sued Google on Monday over allegations that the company uses "constant surveillance" and deploys deceptive methods to gain access to users' location data.
Attorney General Karl Racine sued Google on Monday over allegations that the company uses "constant surveillance" and deploys deceptive methods to gain access to users' location data.
The lawsuit states that Google uses "repeated nudging, misleading pressure tactics, and evasive and deceptive descriptions of features and settings," to encourage users to turn on their location services even when it is not necessary to use the app.
Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine sued Google on Monday over allegations that the company uses "constant surveillance" and deploys deceptive methods to gain access to users' location data.
Google Accused Of ‘Constant Surveillance’, Deceptive Methods to Maintain Access to User Data - Newsweek
Political spendingConfirmedYou decide
Google donates $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee
Google gave $1 million to President-elect Trump's inaugural committee.
Google and Boeing have each given $1 million to President-elect Trump’s inaugural committee, joining a growing list of major corporations supporting the Jan.
Tech giant Google donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund – the latest tech company to do so (AP)
Tech giant Google is the latest company to donate $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, following in the footsteps of other major corporations such as Amazon, Meta, Uber and OpenAI.
In January 2025, Google contributed $1 million to President Donald Trump’s inaugural committee, a substantial increase over the $285,000 the company reported giving for the 2016 and 2020 inaugurations combined.
Google has pledged $1 million to Donald Trump's inaugural fund, joining other tech firms and executives who have made substantial donations ahead of the president-elect's return to the White House. The company confirmed the contribution to Politico on Thursday. The $1 million donation more than triples the $285,000 given to Trump's previous inauguration fund, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show.
Google has pledged $1 million to Donald Trump's inaugural fund, joining other tech firms and executives who have made substantial donations ahead of the president-elect's return to the White House.
Google donates $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee - The Washington Post
Workplace equityRulingAgainst
Google subjected male employees to a relentless campaign of hostility
EXCLUSIVE: A senior executive at Google subjected male employees to a "relentless campaign" of hostility and discrimination – systematically targeting men to be fired, denying them promotions, refusing to allow them to contribute in meetings and even distributing memberships to professional organizations that only served women as Christmas gifts -- a bombshell lawsuit alleges.
A federal jury in New York found Friday that Google retaliated against a female executive when she made a complaint saying that the company had discriminated against her by hiring her at a lower, lesser-paid position than some of her male peers.
Google Loses Gender-Bias Trial, Owes Ulku Rowe $1.15 Million - Business Insider
EXCLUSIVE: A senior executive at Google subjected male employees to a "relentless campaign" of hostility and discrimination – systematically targeting men to be fired, denying them promotions, refusing to allow them to contribute in meetings and even distributing memberships to professional organizations that only served women as Christmas gifts -- a bombshell lawsuit alleges.
Google exec denied men promotions, favored women: lawsuit | Fox News
Labor & working conditionsAllegationAgainst
Google is accused of terminating employees for union activity
Google is accused of terminating employees who attempted to organize a union.
Google Fired Us for Protesting Its Complicity in the War on Gaza.
Corporate conductSettlementAgainst
Google agreed to destroy billions of data records of users' private browsing activities
Google in April 2024 agreed to destroy billions of data records of users' private browsing activities to settle a lawsuit that alleged it tracked people who thought they were browsing privately, including in "Incognito" mode.
Google in April 2024 agreed to destroy billions of data records of users' private browsing activities to settle a lawsuit that alleged it tracked people who thought they were browsing privately, including in "Incognito" mode.
Google in April 2024 agreed to destroy billions of data records of users' private browsing activities to settle a lawsuit that alleged it tracked people who thought they were browsing privately, including in "Incognito" mode.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google conceals internal conversations
Google concealed internal conversations for 15 years.
A Google shareholder has filed a lawsuit against the company’s executive officers and board of directors, alleging the company concealed sexual misconduct allegations against former executives.
Google sued by shareholder alleging sexual misconduct cover-up - CNET
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google gives $150k in free ads to anti-abortion group
Google provided $150,000 in free advertising to an anti-abortion group that misleads women into believing it offers abortion services.
Google has given $150,000 of free advertising to an anti-abortion group that tricks women into thinking it offers abortion services but actually seeks to stop “abortion-minded women” from having their pregnancies terminated.
Privacy & surveillanceRulingAgainst
Google was fined $462 million by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission for violating EU privacy rules related to the collection
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced on Monday that it has fined Google 403 million euros, or about $462 million, over the tech giant’s processing of location data.
Google hit with $463 million fine for EU location data rule breach - ABC News
Google has been fined 403 million euros ($463 million) for breaching the European Union's strict privacy rules because it mishandled users' location data, the bloc's data privacy watchdog said Monday.
Google has been fined 403 million euros ($463 million) for breaching the European Union’s strict privacy rules because it mishandled users’ location data, the bloc’s data privacy watchdog said Monday.
Google fined €403 million by EU over location data privacy violations
Google fined €403 million by EU over location data privacy violations | Fortune
Google fined $462 million after regulators uncover problems with a familiar feature - Fast Company
The commission also ordered that Google bring its processing of location data into compliance within six months.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced on Monday that it has fined Google 403 million euros, or about $462 million, over the tech giant’s processing of location data.
The fine, imposed by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), comes after complaints from multiple European consumer organisations that Google was following every step users took.
Google fined more than €400m by Irish regulator over its use of location data | Google | The Guardian
Imposing a fine of €403m, the DPC ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation (GDPR) within six months. It is the fourth-largest fine imposed by the Irish regulator, which has EU-wide responsibility for all the US tech giants with EU headquarters in Ireland.
Imposing a fine of €403m, the DPC ordered Google to bring its processing into compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation (GDPR) within six months.
Workplace equitySettlementAgainst
Google settles workplace discrimination claims with $118 million
Google pays $118 million to settle claims it underpaid women and agreed to open hiring policies to expert review.
Google is paying $118 million to settle a lawsuit that claims it underpays women, agreeing to open its hiring policies to expert review
The lawsuit was launched in 2017 by three female Google employees, who accused Google of breaking Californian law on gender discrimination, such as the state's Equal Pay Act.
Google to donate $8 million to Israel, Gaza relief efforts
EducationConfirmedYou decide
Google supports colleges with up to $1 million for cybersecurity
Google, in collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, supports selected colleges and universities with up to $1 million each to expand cybersecurity workforce pathways.
Google Cybersecurity Clinics Fund: Google, in collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, supports selected colleges, universities and community colleges with up to $1 million each to expand cybersecurity workforce pathways.
Labor & working conditionsConfirmedAgainst
Google fires four activist employees
The NLRB opened an investigation into Google after the company fired four longtime employees involved in worker activism.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has opened an investigation into Google’s labor practices in the wake of the tech giant’s decision to fire four longtime employees involved in worker activism last month, an agency official confirmed to The Hill on Monday.
Privacy & surveillanceConfirmedAgainst
Google's Salesforce breach exposes customer data
Hackers accessed Google's Salesforce database, exposing customer and company names.
Hackers have reportedly accessed Google's Salesforce database systems, exposing customer and company names.
Corporate conductRulingAgainst
The European Commission fined Google €890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act
Commission fines Google €890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act Today, the European Commission took two decisions finding non-compliance by Google with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for self-preferencing its own services on Google Search, and for putting in place restrictions on businesses to direct consumers to alternative, often cheaper, purchase channels on Google Play (steering).
Commission fines Google €890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act Today, the European Commission took two decisions finding non-compliance by Google with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for self-preferencing its own services on Google Search, and for putting in place restrictions on businesses to direct consumers to alternative, often cheaper, purchase channels on Google Play (steering).
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google internal reviews block data harvesting
Google's internal reviews, driven by consent decrees, have sometimes prevented unnecessary harvesting of users' data.
WIRED interviews with 20 current and former employees of Meta and Google who worked on privacy initiatives show that internal reviews forced by consent decrees have sometimes blocked unnecessary harvesting and access of users’ data.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google pauses Gemini image tool over historical inaccuracies
Google paused its Gemini image generation tool after citing inaccuracies in historical pictures in response to user complaints.
Late last month, Google paused its Gemini image generation tool after saying it offers "inaccuracies" in historical pictures, in response to a barrage of user complaints.
Workplace equitySettlementAgainst
Google LLC will pay more than $3.8M to more than 5,500 employees
Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.
In February 2021, Google paid $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Labor alleging the company disadvantaged female and Asian applicants. The company is also reportedly under investigation from California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing regarding harassment against Black female employees.
Google is paying $118 million to settle a lawsuit that claims it underpays women, agreeing to open its hiring policies to expert review
As part of the settlement, Google will pay more than $1.3 million to compensate roughly 2,500 software engineers who allegedly experienced pay discrimination, according to the Labor Department.
Google has reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with the US Labor Department over allegations of pay and hiring discrimination, the agency said Monday.
Google settles with Department of Labor over allegations of worker discrimination | CNN Business
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations | U.S. Department of Labor
Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations
Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of systemic compensation and hiring discrimination at the company’s California and Washington State facilities and will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants.
Google LLC, US Department of Labor settlement resolves alleged pay, hiring discrimination at California, Washington State locations | U.S. Department of Labor
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google uses publishers' content for AI summaries
Google uses publishers' web content to generate AI Overviews and AI Mode summaries on Google Search without allowing refusal or compensation.
First, Google’s practice of using publishers’ web content to generate AI Overviews and AI Mode summaries on Google Search, without offering these web publishers the possibility to refuse Google’s use of such content without losing access to Google Search and without appropriate compensation.
EU executive investigates whether Google unfairly used web publishers’ content and video uploaded to YouTube to power its artificial intelligence.
Israel & PalestineConfirmedYou decide
Google fires employee for pro-Palestinian remarks
Google fired an employee after he interrupted a speech by the company's managing director in Israel with pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel declarations at a conference in New York City.
Google fired an employee after he interrupted a speech by the tech firm’s managing director in Israel with pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel declarations at a conference in New York City last week.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google uses tricks to enable location history
Google is accused of using various tricks to ensure location history and web activity are enabled.
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) based its complaint on research by the Forbrukerrådet, the Norwegian consumer agency, which claimed Google used “various tricks” to ensure location history and web and app activity were enabled.
Privacy & surveillanceSettlementAgainst
Google settles for at least $19M refund
Google agrees to refund consumers at least $19 million to settle FTC complaints over unlawfully billing parents for children's unauthorized in-app charges.
PRESS RELEASE: Google to Refund Consumers at Least $19 Million to Settle FTC Complaint It Unlawfully Billed Parents for Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges
PRESS RELEASE: FTC Approves Final Order in Case About Google Billing for Kids’ In-App Charges Without Parental Consent
Google to Refund Consumers at Least $19 Million to Settle FTC Complaint It Unlawfully Billed Parents for Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges | Federal Trade Commission
The settlement requires Google to contact all consumers who placed an in-app charge to inform them of the refund process for unauthorized in-app charges by children within 15 days of the order being finalized.
Google to Refund Consumers at Least $19 Million to Settle FTC Complaint It Unlawfully Billed Parents for Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges
The Commission’s complaint against Google alleges that since 2011, Google violated the FTC Act’s prohibition on “unfair” commercial practices by billing consumers for charges by children made within kids’ apps downloaded from the Google Play store.
Should Google issue less than $19 million in refunds to consumers within the 12 months after the settlement becomes final, the company must remit the balance to the Commission for use in providing additional remedies to consumers or for return to the U.S. Treasury.
Google must make these refunds promptly, upon request from an account holder.
In November 2022, the FTC and seven state attorneys general sued Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. for airing nearly 29,000 deceptive endorsements by radio personalities promoting their use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
PRESS RELEASE: FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone
FTC, States Sue Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive Ads Promoting the Pixel 4 Smartphone
“Google and iHeartMedia paid influencers to promote products they never used, showing a blatant disrespect for truth-in-advertising rules,” said Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine.
The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general announced lawsuits against Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. for airing nearly 29,000 deceptive endorsements by radio personalities promoting their use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
“Today’s settlement holds Google and iHeart accountable for this deceptive ad campaign and ensures compliance with state and federal law moving forward.”
FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone
FTC Approves Final Orders against Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive On-Air Endorsements for Google’s Pixel 4 Phone | Federal Trade Commission
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has finalized consent orders against Google LLC and iHeartMedia, Inc. settling allegations that they produced and aired nearly 29,000 deceptive first-person endorsements by radio personalities promoting the personalities’ use of and experience with Google’s Pixel 4 phone in 2019 and 2020.
Privacy & surveillanceProposed settlementAgainst
Google agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle FTC charges that it misrepresented privacy assurances to users of Apple's Safari browser
Google Inc. has agreed to pay a record $22.5 million civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented to users of Apple Inc.’s Safari Internet browser that it would not place tracking “cookies” or serve targeted ads to those users, violating an earlier privacy settlement between the company and the FTC.
Without admitting fault, Google agreed pay a civil penalty of $22.5 million and comply with an injunction requiring it to maintain systems that delete Google cookies from Safari browsers until February 15, 2014.
Judges Approve Google's $22.5 Million Settlement with FTC for Safari Privacy Violation
The FTC claimed that Google improperly used Gmail users’ private information and automatically enrolled users in Google Buzz, despite representations by Google to the contrary.
Judges Approve Google's $22.5 Million Settlement with FTC for Safari Privacy Violation - Harvard Journal of Law & Technology
The settlement includes a $22.5 million civil penalty as well as an injunction against Google; however, Google is not required to admit liability.
The FTC settled with Google in October 2011, with a consent order prohibiting Google from future misrepresentations concerning both Google’s handling of users’ private information and Google’s compliance with privacy programs such as the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”).
The United States claimed that Google placed unauthorized cookies on Safari users’ computers in violation of the NAI code of conduct.
The FTC charged that Google’s misrepresentations violated a settlement it reached with the agency in October 2011, which barred Google from – among other things – misrepresenting the extent to which consumers can exercise control over the collection of their information.
In its statement, the Commission affirmed that the settlement is in the public interest because, based on staff’s investigative work, there is strong reason to believe that Google violated the prior order, and the $22.5 million fine is an appropriate remedy for the charge that Google misrepresented to Safari browser users how to avoid targeted advertising by Google.
Google Inc. has agreed to pay a record $22.5 million civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented to users of Apple Inc.’s Safari Internet browser that it would not place tracking “cookies” or serve targeted ads to those users, violating an earlier privacy settlement between the company and the FTC.
Google Will Pay $22.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges it Misrepresented Privacy Assurances to Users of Apple's Safari Internet Browser
Google Will Pay $22.5 Million to Settle FTC Charges it Misrepresented Privacy Assurances to Users of Apple's Safari Internet Browser | Federal Trade Commission
Despite these promises, the FTC charged that Google placed advertising tracking cookies on consumers’ computers, in many cases by circumventing the Safari browser’s default cookie-blocking setting.
In addition to the civil penalty, the order also requires Google to disable all the tracking cookies it had said it would not place on consumers’ computers.
The settlement resolves allegations that Google made misrepresentations to Safari users about the placement of advertising tracking cookies and serving of targeted advertisements in violation of the FTC’s October 2011 order against Google. Under the settlement, Google will pay a $22.5 million civil penalty, which is the largest in the FTC’s history for violation of an administrative order.
Under the settlement, Google will pay a $22.5 million civil penalty, which is the largest in the FTC’s history for violation of an administrative order.
Federal Trade Commission Bureau of Consumer Protection Director David Vladeck issued the following statement regarding a federal judge’s approval of the FTC proposed order and $22.5 million civil penalty settling charges that Google misrepresented privacy assurances to users of Apple’s Safari Internet browser in violation of a previous FTC settlement Order:
“The court’s approval of the Commission’s record setting $22.5 million fine against Google is a clear victory for consumers and privacy.
16, 2012, after a brief hearing on the terms of the settlement, a federal court in the Northern District of California approved the FTC’s proposed settlement with Google in the Safari matter.
In truth and in fact, Defendant did serve targeted advertisements based on 12 information collected via the DoubleClick Advertising Cookie to Safari users wjth the default 13 setting and to whom Google made the representations referred to in Paragraph 52.
Thus, Google represented to Safari users that, if they did not change the default setting, Google would not place DoubleClick Advertising Cookies on a user's browser, collect interest category information from or about the user, or serve targeted advertisements to the user.
Each misrepresentation to Safari users by Google that it would not serve targeted 9 ads based on information collected via the DoubleClick Advertising Cookie, in violation of the 10 Google Consent Order, as described above, constitutes a separate violation for which Plaintiff 11 seeks monetary civil penalties.
Each misrepresentation to Safari users by Google that it would not place the 5 DoubleClick Advertising Cookie or collect or use interest category information, in violation of 6 the Google Consent Order, as described above, constitutes a separate violation for which 7 Plaintiff seeks monetary civil penalties.
This Complaint alleges (as detailed below) that Google represented to certain 27 users that Google would not place tracking cookies or serve targeted advertisements based on 28 COMPLAINT FOR CNIL PENAL TIES AND OTIIER RELIEF 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 8.
Each misrepresentation by Google that it adhered to or complied with the NAI Code, in violation of the Google Consent Order, as described above, constitutes a separate violation for which Plaintiff seeks monetary civil penalties.
The FTC staff’s careful investigation in this case clearly demonstrated that the historic $22.5 million fine is an appropriate remedy for our charge that Google violated a Commission order by misrepresenting to Safari browser users how to avoid targeted advertising by Google.
Google allows users to opt out of these cookies through an “opt-out button” they can click in their preferences, or through downloading an “opt-out cookie” plugin.
In 2011 Google reached a 20-year legal settlement dubbed a consent decree with the agency for allegedly misleading users with its policies and settings.
Corporate conductConfirmedAgainst
Google overcharges customers for app store services
Google overcharged customers and blocked competing developers through its app store control.