Google LLC is facing a significant legal challenge as plaintiffs accuse the tech giant of unlawfully intercepting and selling personal data collected during private browsing sessions. The complaint, filed by Nicole Shuravloff and other unnamed parties in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara on January 15, 2025, targets Google LLC for allegedly violating privacy laws and breaching user trust.
The lawsuit claims that Google secretly intercepted, tracked, collected, saved, and sold users' personal data while they were using Chrome's "Incognito mode," a feature purportedly designed to allow private browsing. According to the plaintiffs, Google misled users into believing their data was not being tracked or used for advertising purposes when in fact it was being harvested and associated with detailed user profiles. This practice allegedly violates several California laws including the Invasion of Privacy Act (Cal. Penal Code §§ 631 & 632) and the Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (Cal. Penal Code § 502).
The plaintiffs argue that Google's actions were deceptive and unfair, constituting a breach of contract and invasion of privacy. They assert that despite Google's assurances that users could control what information was shared with the company, their private browsing activities were still monitored. The complaint details how Google's ubiquitous services like Analytics and Ad Manager facilitate this data collection without user consent.
Nicole Shuravloff and her co-plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages from Google. They also demand disgorgement of profits obtained through these alleged unlawful practices. The plaintiffs claim that Google's actions have caused irreparable harm to their privacy rights by unjustly enriching itself at their expense.
Represented by attorneys Mark Potter, Barry M. Walker, and Claire Cylkowski from Potter Handy LLP, the plaintiffs aim to hold Google accountable for its alleged misconduct under California law. The case is presided over by Judge P. Hernandez under Case No. 25CV456752.