Google Must Pay IDR 147 Billion Due to Its Location Tracking Practices Make Users Lose

JAKARTA - Google has settled a privacy lawsuit filed by the attorney general in the State of Washington, DC, United States of America (US), who was forced to pay USD 9.5 million, equivalent to IDR 147 billion, for the practice of tracking its location. Now, the company agreed to make it easier for people to opt out of location tracking.

The lawsuit, filed by Attorney General Karl Racine in January 2022, alleges Google keeps its users from being able to opt out of location tracking.

Racine said Google violated the DC Consumer Protection Procedures Act by continuing to track user data, so it can continue to make money from the practice.

According to him, Google also implements dark patterns, or design choices that are meant to trick users into doing things that don't benefit them, such as enabling location tracking.

In addition, Google also makes users believe they have control over whether or not the platform collects and stores their location data, but that is not the case, conversely, users cannot prevent Google from collecting, storing, and profiting from their location.

"We sued because Google made it nearly impossible for users to stop tracking their location. Now, thanks to this settlement, Google must also explain to consumers how their location data is collected, stored and used," Racine tweeted after winning his lawsuit.

However, Google still denies any wrongdoing. But the company also agreed to produce a compliance report every year for the next four years to prove it complied with the terms of the settlement.

With this, Google has agreed to a settlement payment of IDR 147 billion and changed its practices regarding how Google notifies users about collecting, storing and using their location data.

As information cited from various sources, Monday, January 2, Google is also facing lawsuits from the State of Indiana, USA, amounting to USD 20 million, equivalent to IDR 311 billion in a similar case.