Google pays $357K to Massachusetts

(Inside the Hive, November 18, 2013)

Internet search-and-advertising giant Google Inc. has agreed to pay the Commonwealth $357,000 as part of a $17 million settlement with nearly 40 states to settle allegations that it placed tracking cookies on the computers of some consumers using the Safari browser without their knowledge or consent. According to the allegations, Google misled users of the Safari Web browser that its default settings would block Google from placing third-party advertising cookies. The cookies enable the collection of information about consumers for advertising purposes. But instead, Google circumvented the default settings to place the cookies on Safari users’ computers without the knowledge or consent of consumers. As part of the settlement, Google has agreed to improve the information it provides to consumers regarding cookies, their purposes, and how they can be managed by consumers using Google’s products or services and tools.