Google told to pay $425m in privacy lawsuit

Google has been ordered to pay $425 million in a privacy lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that Google unlawfully tracked users' internet activity even when they had opted out of such tracking. Google claims the decision misunderstands how its products work and plans to appeal the ruling. The lawsuit was filed in the Netherlands and resulted in the hefty fine imposed by the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The ruling states that Google violated the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by collecting and using personal data without users' consent. Google maintains that its practices are in compliance with privacy regulations. However, the Dutch regulator found that the tech giant's methods of obtaining user consent were insufficient and did not meet the GDPR's standards. The $425 million fine is the second-largest penalty levied under the GDPR, underscoring the increased scrutiny on major tech companies' data collection and usage practices. The ongoing legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between tech firms and privacy advocates over the protection of personal information.