"Google has prioritized profit over their users' privacy," said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum of Oregon, one of 40 states to bring the case. "They have been crafty and deceptive."
Facebook and Instagram's parent company Meta reported a revenue drop for the second time in its history. Snapchat, Microsoft and Google also reported losses in the last quarter.
Sam Curry, a self-described hacker, was puzzled by the payment. A Google spokesperson says the company paid "the wrong party as the result of human error" and was working to correct it.
Workers are asking Google to protect user location data and search history from law enforcement agencies that might attempt to prosecute abortion seekers.
When law enforcement requests it, Google usually hands over location and search data collected through its smartphone apps. Will that now be used against people seeking abortions in some states?
The Google computer scientist who was placed on leave after claiming the company's artificial intelligence chatbot has come to life tells NPR how he formed his opinion.
Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft are taking steps to curb Russian propaganda, but they don't want to be kicked out of the country and limit Russians' access to their platforms.
The suit was filed by software engineers who were fired two years ago, after organizing a labor movement against Google's work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The new policy follows up on the tech giant's August announcement that it would take a number of steps aiming to protect minors' privacy. It is intended for cases in which the subject is under 18.
More and more tech workers are publicly criticizing their companies. But those who have spoken out say it's taken a toll on their careers, friendships and mental health.
