Google Facing Tens of Millions of Dollars in Fines over Safari Privacy Circumvention - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Google Facing Tens of Millions of Dollars in Fines over Safari Privacy Circumvention

Bloomberg briefly reports that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to fine Google over its efforts to circumvent privacy restrictions in Safari for iOS to track users through ads on numerous sites across the web. According to a source, the fine is likely to amount to tens of millions of dollars.

Google Inc. (GOOG) is negotiating with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission over how big a fine it will have to pay for its breach of Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Safari Internet browser, a person familiar with the matter said. [...]

The fine would be the first by the FTC for a violation of Internet privacy safeguards as the agency steps up enforcement of the Web.

googlelogo
Google took advantage of a loophole in Safari's default privacy settings, making the browser think that the user was interacting with a given ad, thus allowing a tracking cookie to be installed. With that cookie installed, it became easy for Google to add additional cookies and to track users across the web as they visited other sites displaying ads from Google's networks.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro

Friday May 1, 2026 3:43 pm PDT by
Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026, but depending on your needs and interests, you might want to skip this generation because there's something better in the works. The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models have faster chips, but the same design that Apple has used since 2021. An updated design with new display technology and faster ...

Top Rated Comments

iAppl3Fan Avatar
183 months ago
Google deserves the fine. Make it a good one.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gorskiegangsta Avatar
183 months ago
Don't be evil!


...or pay the price.
Score: 34 Votes (Like | Disagree)
miles01110 Avatar
183 months ago
With that big of a penalty I'm sure it'll be a deterrent to others who want to do the same thing. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shrink Avatar
183 months ago
The illusion of any semblance of privacy is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain.:mad:

I hope the fine is large enough to get Google's, and others, attention.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AustinIllini Avatar
183 months ago
Go ahead and fine Google, but at what point do you say that Apple should be held accountable as well?

If you get robbed, you don't sue your landlord.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AustinIllini Avatar
183 months ago
This is the number 1 reason why I won't go back to Android. How can you possibly tell me that Google isn't interested in selling my information? Honestly, this is just flagrant.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: Instant Digital | Iphone | Imac Deals | Apple Tv Deals | Ming Chi Kuo