Background: This nationwide data privacy class action is brought on behalf of Google Chrome users alleging that Google violated its express promise not to take users’ personal data when using the Chrome browser outside of synched mode.

BFA’s Role: BFA is acting as co-lead counsel representing the class of Chrome users in this litigation.

Status: In March 2021, Judge Koh of the Northern District of California largely denied Google’s motion to dismiss, upholding Plaintiffs’ contract, privacy, and other claims. In her order, Judge Koh found that that Chrome users’ data—including browsing history, cookies, and other site data—is their property and that Plaintiffs had alleged Google’s unlawful collection of such data constitutes theft. Further, Judge Koh upheld claims that Google acted in bad faith when it collected users’ data in circumvention of cookie blockers.  On December 12, 2022, the court granted Google’s motion for summary judgment. Plaintiffs’ appeal of that ruling is currently pending.