A US federal judge has said she is leaning towards approving a government settlement that will require Google to pay a $22.5 million fine to resolve allegations that it duped web surfers using the Safari browser in order to track their online activities.

The Federal Trade Commission reached the agreement with Google last August, but court approval is still necessary.

US District Judge Susan Illston indicated during a court hearing in San Francisco yesterday that she will approve the settlement.

Judge Illston did not indicate when she will issue a ruling. - (PA)