$26 Million Payment To FL In Google Privacy Settlement

FLORIDA — Google has agreed to a record $391.5 million settlement with Florida and 39 other states over its location tracking practices. It is the largest multistate privacy settlement in U.S. history.

Florida's share of the settlement is $26 million, Attorney General Ashley Moody said Monday.

The settlement — the largest amount paid to state attorneys general in a privacy investigation — also requires Google to make it easier for consumers to manage their privacy settings when using Google products.

“Big Tech is watching us, but Silicon Valley needs to know that we are watching them too, and if they violate our consumer protection laws, we will take strong action to protect our citizens," Moody said in a statement. "This is a historic case for the privacy of Americans and the protection of consumers nationwide, and I am proud our office helped lead this massive, nationwide investigation.”

Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business. The personal and behavioral data the search engine collects builds detailed user profiles and targets ads on behalf of advertising customers, state officials said. Location data is among the most sensitive and valuable personal information Google collects.

As detailed in the settlement, the attorneys general found that Google violated state consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about its location tracking practices since at least 2014. Specifically, Google caused users to be confused about the scope of the Location History setting, the fact that the Web & App Activity setting existed and also collected location information, and the extent to which consumers who use Google products and services could limit Google’s location tracking by adjusting their account and device settings.

The investigation into Google's practices began after a 2018 Associated Press article revealed that Google recorded user movements, even when users opted-out. Google's location history is off by default and must be enabled by a user, but it's web and app activity account setting is automatically on when users set up a Google account.

Florida took a leading role in the investigation and agreement negotiations, represented by Consumer Protection Division Multistate and Privacy Bureau Chief Patrice Malloy, the state said.

The settlement also requires Google to be more transparent with consumers. Google will be required to make key information about location tracking more prominent in its settings.

Attorney generals from Oregon and Nebraska led the settlement negotiation.

To view a copy of the agreement, click here.