The D.C. Attorney General’s office has announced an agreement with Google, in which the tech company will pay $9.5 million to resolve allegations that it deceived and manipulated consumers to gain access to their location.
Google has also agreed to make changes that more clearly inform users of smartphones and other connected devices about when their location information is being collected and will make opting out easier.
“Given the vast level of tracking and surveillance that technology companies can embed into their widely used products, it is only fair that consumers be informed of how important user data, including information about their every move, is gathered, tracked and utilized by these companies,” said D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine.
As part of the agreement, Google has agreed to provide users with the ability to easily to opt out of being tracked, and restrict the manner in which user information is shared with third parties.
The D.C. OAG’s investigation found “dark pattern” practices used by Google that it alleges deliberately trick and coerce consumers into taking actions that don’t benefit them, and repeatedly prompts users to enable their location in certain apps, falsely claiming they would not function properly without location tracking enabled.
In addition to paying $9.5 million to the District, Google also agreed to issue notifications on how to disable location settings, delete data collected and limit how long Google keeps their data. Google will also prepare annual compliance reports that detail its compliance with the settlement agreement.
A copy of the settlement agreement is posted online.