Google set to pay cookie privacy fine

**Shawn_7** · 07-10-12 at 02:36 PM

Quote:

Google is set to pay the largest fine ever imposed on a single company by the US Federal Trade Commission, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It says the search giant is close to agreeing to pay $22.5m (£14.5m) to settle a privacy complaint.

It follows an earlier report which revealed Google had bypassed a "do not track" setting selected in Apple's Safari web browser.

Google has indicated that its action had been an unintentional mistake.

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http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18782224

An unintentional mistake, of course. LOL ...

**EvilToeKnee** · 07-10-12 at 02:47 PM

Apple's in the spotlight again. They love lawsuits. Granted it's a fine to the FTC but, they had to play some part in this action.

**Shawn_7** · 07-10-12 at 02:55 PM

OK, but Google was spying Safari users intentionally so in this case they had the right to sue Google.

Quote:

The companies used special computer code that tricks Apple's Safari Web-browsing software into letting them monitor many users. Safari, the most widely used browser on mobile devices, is designed to block such tracking by default.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204880404577225380456599176.html

**Omega_Prime** · 07-10-12 at 03:09 PM

Hey Greece, some money for you

**SteveJones7** · 07-10-12 at 09:35 PM

Quote:

The companies used special computer code that tricks Apple's Safari Web-browsing software into letting them monitor many users.

I hope they get fined EXTRA for the outrageous "it was a mistake" lie.

**WillowSun** · 07-11-12 at 01:15 AM

the serious side of this, is that is shows the data-tracking that Google is doing. And it crossed Apple - its competitor who does the same thing (iTunes anyone?)

this knowledge is worth a LOT of money ie to advertisers. So $22M? small change.

**PhoenixBSD** · 07-11-12 at 02:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by WillowSun

this knowledge is worth a LOT of money ie to advertisers. So $22M? small change.

A slap on the wrist just like the last "unintentional" fiasco when Google got caught snooping-and-scooping unprotected home wi-fi data while taking Street View photos. Geez, didn't Go_ogle used to have a motto or slogan that allegedly represented their mission statement? Oh yeah... Don't Be Evil. In fact, according to Wikipedia:

"The sixth point of the 10-point corporate philosophy of Google says "You can make money without doing evil."

Obviously that point was proven to be an outright lie after Google first went to China and began censoring whatever content China's fearless leader dictated to them.

In time, people will look back and lament... Ah yes, Google, The Trojan Horse of the early 21st century.

**usiel** · 07-11-12 at 08:09 AM

I think this quote is fitting.

Harvey Dent: You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

07-10-12 at 02:55 PM	#3
Shawn_7 Elder Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Eventyrland Posts: 3,515	OK, but Google was spying Safari users intentionally so in this case they had the right to sue Google. Quote: The companies used special computer code that tricks Apple's Safari Web-browsing software into letting them monitor many users. Safari, the most widely used browser on mobile devices, is designed to block such tracking by default. Code: Select All http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204880404577225380456599176.html

07-10-12 at 02:47 PM	#2
EvilToeKnee 3rd Street Saint Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: USA Posts: 771	Apple's in the spotlight again. They love lawsuits. Granted it's a fine to the FTC but, they had to play some part in this action.

07-10-12 at 03:09 PM	#4
Omega_Prime Autobot Supreme Commander Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,566	Hey Greece, some money for you

07-10-12 at 09:35 PM	#5
SteveJones7 Too sexy for this board Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: teh earth Posts: 1,541	Quote: The companies used special computer code that tricks Apple's Safari Web-browsing software into letting them monitor many users. I hope they get fined EXTRA for the outrageous "it was a mistake" lie.

07-11-12 at 01:15 AM	#6
WillowSun Therianthrope Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5,021	the serious side of this, is that is shows the data-tracking that Google is doing. And it crossed Apple - its competitor who does the same thing (iTunes anyone?) this knowledge is worth a LOT of money ie to advertisers. So $22M? small change.

07-11-12 at 02:05 AM	#7
PhoenixBSD Luminiferous Ether Sailor Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Thailand Posts: 1,610	Quote: Originally Posted by WillowSun this knowledge is worth a LOT of money ie to advertisers. So $22M? small change. A slap on the wrist just like the last "unintentional" fiasco when Google got caught snooping-and-scooping unprotected home wi-fi data while taking Street View photos. Geez, didn't Go_ogle used to have a motto or slogan that allegedly represented their mission statement? Oh yeah... *Don't Be Evil. In fact, according to Wikipedia: "The sixth point of the 10-point corporate philosophy of Google says "You can make money without doing evil."* Obviously that point was proven to be an outright lie after Google first went to China and began censoring whatever content China's fearless leader dictated to them. In time, people will look back and lament... Ah yes, Google, The Trojan Horse of the early 21st century.

07-11-12 at 08:09 AM	#8
usiel Master Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,121	I think this quote is fitting. Harvey Dent: You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.