U.K. iPhone users want $4.3B from Google for privacy violations

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Google
Millions in Britain wants $1000 each because they claim Google invaded their privacy
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

A group of 4.4 million Brits accuse Google of illegally collecting and selling their personal information. They want a court to award them  $1000 (£750) each in compensation.

The group, which calls itself Google You Owe Us, was in court today asking to be made a representative action, the British equivalent of a class action.

The iPhone users claim that Google found a way around the security settings in the iOS version of the Safari web browser. They accuse Google of collecting data about their browsing habits, and then selling that information to DoubleClick, an advertising network that’s a Google subsidiary. They even have specific dates for when these privacy invasions allegedly took place: June 1, 2011 and Feb. 1, 2012.

Google don’t owe nobody nothin’

Google used its time in court today denying these allegations. “This case relates to events that took place over six years ago and that we addressed at the time. We believe it has no merit and should be dismissed. We’ve filed evidence in support of that view and look forward to making our case in Court,” said Tom Price, Google UK communications director, told Tech Times.

If the British court agrees that this case is a representative action, then the Google v. Google You Owe Us lawsuit will begin a protracted time in front of a judge. Or judges, as this sort of case is likely to involve appeals. Apple v. Samsung has dragged on since 2011, for example. So it’s a long time before Google might have to write a check for £3.2B ($4.3B).

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