The case leading to the multistate payout was instigated by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 39 other attorneys general. It is the largest multistate privacy settlement in the history of the US, with Michigan alone receiving close to $12m from the settlement.
“Google makes the majority of its revenue from using the personal data of those who search in its browsers and use its apps,” Nessel said.
“The company’s online reach enables it to target consumers without the consumer’s knowledge or permission. However, the transparency requirements of this settlement will ensure that Google not only makes users aware of how their location data is being used, but also how to change their account settings if they wish to disable location-related account settings, delete the data collected and set data-retention limits.”
Location data is a key part of Google’s digital advertising business which it uses in combination with the personal and behavioural...