Status Conference Set for Apple ZIP Code Class Action Lawsuit

A May 29 status conference has been set for a class action lawsuit accusing Apple store employees of illegally requesting customers’ ZIP code information during credit card transactions. U.S. District Judge Douglas P. Woodlock has ordered lawyers for both sides to attend to address any outstanding issues or motions pertaining to the Apple class action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs in the Apple ZIP code class action lawsuit, led by Adam Christensen, allege that they were forced to provide their ZIP code as part of credit card transactions made at the company’s Apple Stores in Massachusetts. They argue that pursuant to the state’s highest court’s decision that a ZIP code is considered personal identifying information, that Apple’s practices were in violation of the state Unfair Trade Practices Act and are seeking damages as a result.

Apple’s initial answer to the ZIP code class action lawsuit is, in large part, pro forma, but also touches on defenses it will likely use against the plaintiff’s class action lawyers. The company makes the following assertions regarding its practices and other failings it sees in the class action lawsuit:

1) The consumers’ personal identifying information was only requested as part of allowable practices such as “shipping, delivery, or installation of purchased merchandise or services” or was provided voluntarily by Christensen and other plaintiffs at Apple Stores, such as registering for an Apple ID or related program.

2) If that does not hold up, the defense team argues that the Apple ZIP code class action lawsuit should fail because Apple “did not have a policy to request or record ZIP codes in connection with credit card transactions” and that even if it did, the company did not sell the information to third parties or send “targeted marketing materials” with the personal identifying information it may have obtained.

The Apple Zip Code Class Action Lawsuit is Adam Christensen, et al. v. Apple Inc., Case No. 14-cv-10100, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts.

Were You Asked to Provide Your ZIP Code at a Massachusetts or California Store?

If you live in Massachusetts or California and were asked by a retailer to provide your ZIP code as part of a credit card transaction, you may eligible for compensation under state law that prohibits this type of information collection. Submit your information now to see if you qualify to join our free Merchant ZIP Code Collection Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There is absolutely no obligation and no fees to join. Learn more today!