Anne Bucher  |  May 12, 2022

Category: Legal News

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Snapchat application icon on Apple iPhone X smartphone screen close-up in woman hands - Snap class action
(Photo Credit: Natee Meepian/Shutterstock)

Snap Class Action Lawsuit Overview:

  • Who: Plaintiffs Adrian Coss and Maribel Ocampo have filed a data privacy class action lawsuit against Snap Inc.
  • Why: The Snap class action lawsuit alleges violations of certain Snapchat users’ biometric privacy rights.
  • Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Illinois federal court.

Snap Inc. violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by capturing users’ biometric information without their informed written consent, according to a data privacy class action lawsuit filed May 11 in Illinois federal court.

Snap is the owner and operator of the Snapchat app, which is a camera application that allows users to communicate through short videos and images. The class action lawsuit notes that Snapchat uses technology that is subject to BIPA.

Each violation of BIPA may result in liquidated damages of up to $5,000, according to the lawsuit.

Snap Class Action Says Biometric Data Collected Without Users’ Consent

Plaintiffs Adrian Coss and Maribel Ocampo, both residents of Illinois, say they have used the Snapchat app to create and post Snaps that include their unique facial features and unique voices.

Under BIPA, a company cannot collect, capture or obtain customers’ biometric information without first informing them in writing that their biometric information is being collected or stored, the purpose of the biometric data collection and the length of time the data will be stored.

BIPA also requires companies to obtain written consent from customers authorizing the use of their biometric data, the data privacy class action lawsuit explains.

Coss and Ocampo allege that Snap collected their biometric information without first obtaining their informed written consent in violation of BIPA.

The plaintiffs specifically point to the use of the Lenses and Filter feature in the Snapchat app, which allegedly scanned their faces to create a detailed map of their facial features without their informed written consent.

The Snap class action lawsuit alleges the company failed to disclose to Snapchat users that it would collect and capture their unique biometric information and how it uses the biometric data it collects.

Coss and Ocampo filed the class action lawsuit on behalf of themselves and a proposed class of Illinois citizens who used the Snapchat app and whose biometric information was collected without their informed written consent.

Snap is also facing a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to inform investors that Apple’s new privacy features would decrease its advertising revenue.

What do you think about the Snap class action lawsuit? Join the discussion in the comments below!

The plaintiffs are represented by James C. Vlahakis of Sulaiman Law Group Ltd.

The Snap Class Action Lawsuit is Adrian Coss, et al. v. Snap Inc., et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-02480, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.


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900 thoughts onSnapchat Class Action Claims App Violates Consumers’ Biometric Privacy

  1. Katrina Howell says:

    I used snap chat and my album keep being exposed

  2. TERRY says:

    Only used snapchat a few times so I suppose I am affected by this also.

  3. JJ says:

    Add me too please

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