Google has found itself suddenly enmeshed in a battle over how it uses cookies, small pieces of code for tracking users through their web browsers. While some argue that Google's use of cookies invades user privacy, Google claims it is simply using common web practices for innocuous tracking.
Nov 18, 2013, 8:33 PM UTCChris Welch
Google agrees to pay states $17 million in browser privacy settlement
Oct 10, 2013, 10:06 PM UTCAdi Robertson
Judge dismisses suit against Google for bypassing Safari privacy settings
Aug 11, 2012, 10:18 PM UTCNathan Ingraham
After Facebook privacy snafu, FTC may force companies to admit wrongdoing even if they settle
The New York Times is reporting that the FTC is planning to re-examine the practice of letting companies settle without admitting guilt.
Aug 9, 2012, 3:39 PM UTCChris Welch
Google to pay $22.5 million to settle privacy charges
Google has agreed to pay a $22.5 million penalty to settle FTC privacy charges that the search giant ignored user privacy settings within Apple's Safari browser.
Jul 31, 2012, 8:58 PM UTCNathan Ingraham
FCC reportedly approves $22.5 million Google fine for Safari cookie scandal
We heard that the FCC and Google were near a $22.5 million settlement for Google's part in circumventing Safari users' cookie privacy settings, and now Reuters is reporting that the FCC has voted to approve the fine, with an official announcement expected in the next few days.
Jul 10, 2012, 9:52 AM UTCJeff Blagdon
Google facing FTC's largest fine ever for circumventing Safari's cookie blocker, says WSJ
Google is close to a $22.5 million settlement with the FTC over circumventing Safari's cookie blocker, according to WSJ. The fine could be the highest in the commission's history.
May 4, 2012, 7:10 PM UTCAdi Robertson
Google facing FTC fine for circumventing Safari privacy settings, says Bloomberg
According to Bloomberg, the FTC is negotiating with Google over a fine after Google was found to be tracking users' web browsing with cookies on Safari even if they had set privacy settings to block it.
Mar 16, 2012, 3:01 PM UTCAaron Souppouris
Google facing more privacy litigation, according to WSJ
The WSJ is reporting that Google is being investigated by both the FTC and CNIL for its use of a cookie that circumvented Safari's security settings.
Mar 1, 2012, 5:18 PM UTCLaura June
The shocking extent of web tracking for targeted ads
The Atlantic published a piece about the frequency and extent of online tracking carried out by hundreds of companies, small and large, for advertisements.
Feb 21, 2012, 3:06 AM UTCT.C. Sottek
Google responds to Microsoft over privacy issues, calls IE's cookie policy 'widely non-operational'
Earlier today, Microsoft accused Google of manipulating Internet Explorer's default privacy restrictions in order to "bypass user preferences about cookies." Google's just responded to our inquiry with a lengthy statement — here is an excerpt:
Feb 20, 2012, 8:17 PM UTCT.C. Sottek
Google also bypasses user privacy settings in Internet Explorer, says Microsoft
Just a few days after the Wall Street Journal reported that Google, Facbeook, and others have been using a workaround to bypass the cookie restrictions on Apple's Safari and Mobile Safari web browsers, Microsoft now claims that Google has taken similar measures to bypass privacy settings in Internet Explorer.
Feb 17, 2012, 7:19 AM UTCBryan Bishop
Google and others caught circumventing Safari and Mobile Safari privacy restrictions (updated)
Google and at least three other online advertising networks have been caught circumventing the security privacy settings on Apple's Safari web browser.
