Google settles privacy lawsuit
September 5, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GOOGLE has settled a lawsuit accusing it of privacy violations in connection with its Buzz social networking service, according to a court document filed on Friday.
Google spokesman Brian Richardson said the company was satisfied with the agreement to end the litigation.
"We have always been committed to offering users transparency and choice in Buzz and all our products, and will continue to work together with users to provide the best user experience possible," he said.
Launched in February, Buzz initially used an individual's email contacts from Google Gmail to build a social network of Buzz contacts the rest of the world could see, which led to privacy concerns. Google then changed the settings so that contacts were kept private by default.
To settle the lawsuit brought by a Gmail user, Google will set aside US$8.5 million for attorneys' fees and donations to organizations focused on Internet privacy, according to the court filing.
In addition, "the settlement requires that Google undertake wider public education about the privacy aspects of Buzz," the filing showed.
Google is updating its privacy policy statements from October 3.
Google spokesman Brian Richardson said the company was satisfied with the agreement to end the litigation.
"We have always been committed to offering users transparency and choice in Buzz and all our products, and will continue to work together with users to provide the best user experience possible," he said.
Launched in February, Buzz initially used an individual's email contacts from Google Gmail to build a social network of Buzz contacts the rest of the world could see, which led to privacy concerns. Google then changed the settings so that contacts were kept private by default.
To settle the lawsuit brought by a Gmail user, Google will set aside US$8.5 million for attorneys' fees and donations to organizations focused on Internet privacy, according to the court filing.
In addition, "the settlement requires that Google undertake wider public education about the privacy aspects of Buzz," the filing showed.
Google is updating its privacy policy statements from October 3.
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