Our privacy lawyers have been at the forefront of protecting consumers from corporate practices that invade their digital and online privacy. We’ve brought cases against Google, Yahoo, Facebook, and others that present cutting edge legal issues like whether companies can read your email or track your online browsing habits without your knowledge. In each of our cases we’ve developed innovative arguments and legal theories to apply outdated laws to new technology to ensure companies protect their customers’ privacy.
How to protect your Internet privacy
The increased use of the Internet, email, instant messaging, and social media has created many privacy concerns for consumers—often because they don’t know how their private information and communications are being used and shared. For example, it is quite common for consumers to have their private communications scanned for content that can be used in profile building and advertising. Your most private information can even be sold or shared with third-parties you don’t know.
One growing area of digital privacy lawsuits involves claims against providers of web-based services (like email and search engines) and social media companies for data mining personal communications or tracking them on the Internet. Many of these cases allege that the companies’ data mining practices violate the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (or “ECPA”) which protects the privacy of wire, oral, and electronic communications, including emails and instant messages. The ECPA prohibits tampering with computer lines or using other technology to ascertain the contents of any message without the authorization of one party to the communication. Some states also have more restrictive wiretap laws that impact businesses that process electronic communications between consumers. For example, the California Invasion of Privacy Act (“CIPA”) prohibits the interception of communications unless all parties consent. When many of these laws were enacted before the creation of email and direct messaging, if a company violates your Internet privacy you might be owed $500 or $1000 per violation.
Kaplan Fox’s Digital Privacy Cases
Our privacy lawyers have expertise and experience enforcing consumers’ rights to privacy in cases involving internet, digital, and online privacy. Our team has a strong track record of representing consumers in class action lawsuits against health insurers, retailers, manufacturers and internet service providers when they have failed to protect their own customers’ privacy rights. As a result of our efforts, we’ve recovered compensation for victims and worked hard to ensure companies implement stronger privacy practices to ensure customers are protected in the future.
Examples of our digital privacy cases include:
In re Yahoo Email Litigation, Case No. 5:13-cv-4980-LHK (N.D. Cal.): We represent a certified class of non-Yahoo email users who allege Yahoo’s email scanning practices violate state and federal wiretap laws. Our lawsuit alleges Yahoo illegally scans and reads email so it can increase advertising revenues.
In re Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation, No. 5:12-MD-02314-EJD (N.D. Cal.): Kaplan Fox represents consumers challenging Facebook’s former practice of secretly tracking the web browsing of its users, even after they logged out. The class action complaint alleges that Facebook’s tracking constituted illegal wiretapping and violated other privacy laws.
In re Lenovo Adware Litigation, Case No. 5:15-md-02624-RMW (N.D. Cal.): Kaplan Fox brought this digital privacy and consumer protection class action against Lenovo after it was revealed that notebook and tablet computers Lenovo sold to consumers with pre-installed “Superfish” spyware.
In re Google Cookie Placement Consumer Privacy Litigation (CASE NO. ADD): We filed a proposed class action against Google alleging “cookies” tracked users while surfing the internet to collect data it can sell to advertisers. The case presents innovative legal arguments regarding the application of wiretap laws to the Internet.
What should I do if my Internet privacy rights have been violated?
If you believe your Internet or online privacy has been violated, please fill out the form below or call 1-844-333-7660 for a free and confidential consultation.
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There is no cost or obligation for our review of your case. Kaplan Fox agrees to protect your name and all confidential information you submit against disclosure, publication, or unauthorized use to the full extent under the law.
