Apple users sue Google over secret tracking of browsing habits

London: A British law firm says that about a dozen Apple customers are suing Internet search leader Google in the UK over its alleged secret tracking of their Internet browsing habits.

London-based law firm Olswang said that 12 Apple users were taking the Internet search leader to court over small pieces of tracking code - known as cookies - surreptitiously installed on computers and smartphones.

Google found itself in hot water last year after it emerged that the company had circumvented privacy features on Apple's Safari web browsers to deposit cookies on millions of users' computers. The issue has already cost Google $22.5 million, which it agreed to pay the US Federal Trade Commission to settle the claims last year.

Google said it had no comment on the lawsuit.