Google has been fined $22.5 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US, for breaching the privacy of Safari browser users.
The privacy case revolves around allegations that the search giant deceived millions of Web surfers using Apple’s Safari web browser into believing their online activities could not be tracked by Google provided they did not change the browser’s privacy settings.
Although that assurance was even posted on Google’s Web site earlier this year, Google was inserting computer coding designed to bypass Safari’s automatic settings. The coding enabled Google to peer into the online activities of Safari users, regardless of their browser settings.
The fine was approved by US District Judge Susan Illston on Friday, rejecting a consumer-rights group’s plea for a tougher punishment.
Illston issued her ruling just a few hours after a hearing in San Francisco, which focused on a fine representing the agreement Google reached months ago with the FTC.
Google had since pledged not to mislead people regarding its privacy practices.
