Google to Face Trial in Privacy On/Off Switch Class Action (1)

Google LLC lost its final bid to escape a sweeping privacy class action alleging the tech giant covertly collects consumer data even after they turn an “off switch” that purportedly stops the tracking.

Judge Richard Seeborg on Tuesday ruled that Google must face a federal jury, rejecting the company’s arguments that Google users are aware that turning the off switch doesn’t stop all tracking and that “Google’s basic record-keeping practices harms no one.”

A jury trial is tentatively set for Aug. 18 in San Francisco.

Seeborg, writing for the US District Court for the Northern District of California, said that ...