The UK High Court has blocked a legal action against Alphabet Inc's Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) over claims the search giant had collected sensitive information from over four million iPhone users, a report by Reuters and City A.M. said on Monday.
Google was accused of circumventing the privacy settings installed on Apple Inc's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone Safari browser between August 2011 and February 2012, using a method known as the Safari Workaround, with the intention of using data to separate users into easily distinguishable categories for advertisers.
Justice Mark Warby, who oversaw the case, said in his ruling: "There is no dispute that it is arguable that Google's alleged role in the collection, collation, and use of data obtained via the Safari Workaround was wrongful, and a breach of duty."
But the judge said the claims that people suffered "damage" from the workaround were not sufficient and added it would be impossible to reliably calculate the number of iPhone users affected, the report said.
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The case was spearheaded by a group known as Google You Owe Us led by consumer activist Richard Lloyd.
"Today's judgment is extremely disappointing and effectively leaves millions of people without any practical way to seek redress and compensation when their personal data has been misused," he said in a statement.
"Google's business model is based on using personal data to target adverts to consumers and they must ask permission before using this data. The court accepted that people did not give permission in this case yet slammed the door shut on holding Google to account."
The case had its first hearing in May, where the prosecution told the court that Google had collected personal information on users including their race, physical and mental health, shopping habits and political affiliations or opinions.
A Google spokesperson said: "The privacy and security of our users is extremely important to us. This claim is without merit, and we're pleased the Court has dismissed it."
Reporting by Rene Pastor rene.pastor@proactiveinvestors.com