Google is poised to pay a $22.5 million fine to resolve allegations that it broke a privacy promise by secretly tracking millions of web surfers using Apple's Safari browser
Google is likely to pay the Federal Trade Commission's biggest fine yet over its Safari privacy policy
A person familiar with settlement said the fine has yet to be approved by the Federal Trade Commission, which oversees online privacy issues in the US. If approved by the FTC's five commissioners, the $22.5 million penalty would be the largest the agency has ever imposed on a single company.
Google, however, has $49 billion in the bank and will generate revenue this year of about $46 billion.
The case, nonetheless, raises further doubts about the company's credibility as it grapples with broader regulatory investigations into whether it has been abusing its influential position on the internet to stifle competition.
"We do set the highest standards of privacy and security for our users," Google said in a statement Tuesday. The company emphasized the tracking technology inserted into the Safari browser didn't collect any personal information.
Google will not acknowledge any wrongdoing under the proposed settlement, according to the person familiar with the terms.
Google, however, has $49 billion in the bank and will generate revenue this year of about $46 billion.
The case, nonetheless, raises further doubts about the company's credibility as it grapples with broader regulatory investigations into whether it has been abusing its influential position on the internet to stifle competition.
"We do set the highest standards of privacy and security for our users," Google said in a statement Tuesday. The company emphasized the tracking technology inserted into the Safari browser didn't collect any personal information.
Google will not acknowledge any wrongdoing under the proposed settlement, according to the person familiar with the terms.
