Google, Facebook Class Action Says Users Secretly Tracked

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Two new class action lawsuits allege that tech companies Google and Facebook collect mobile device users’ location data without authorization.

The lead plaintiffs in the separate class action lawsuits say that they and other users specifically “opt out” of collection of precise location history while using their mobile devices.

However, both Google and Facebook are accused of accessing this data anyway.

“Location data is highly sensitive — it reveals not only where an individual is at a particular time, but also other personal information, such as an individual’s job, medical treatment, personal relationships and private interests,” contends the Facebook class action lawsuit.

“Without vindication of individual privacy rights, corporations like Facebook will enjoy unfettered ability to surveil, track, store and ultimately profit from the most intimate and private details of users’ lives.”

The lead plaintiff in the class action lawsuit against Facebook, Brett Heeger, is a California resident.

Two plaintiffs from Wyoming have initiated a class action lawsuit against Google, alleging the company duped iPhone and Android users into revealing their location data to the search engine giant.

Both class action lawsuits seek to represent a nationwide Class of consumers whose location data was allegedly accessed improperly by the technology companies.

Both class action lawsuits allege the companies violated California privacy laws, the Stored Communications Act, as well as Colorado consumer protection law.

Facebook Location Data Class Action Lawsuit

The plaintiff in the Facebook location data class action lawsuit alleges that the social media company tricks consumers into thinking they control the personal information they share, including location data by simply turning the collection of location data “off.”

“”Facebook’s false assurances are intended to make users feel comfortable continuing to use Facebook and share their personal information so that Facebook can continue to be profitable, at the expense of user privacy,” alleges the Facebook class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff contends that Facebook continues to collect users’ location data in order to make themselves more attractive to advertisers by being able to offer the ability to provide tailored locations for ads.

Google Tracking Class Action Lawsuit

Similarly, say the plaintiffs in the Google location data class action lawsuit, the search engine giant tells users that they can opt out of the collection of location data.

However, a recent report published by the Associated Press revealed that Google tracks users’ locations regardless.

“Google improperly baited users into using its applications and functionalities without worrying about their privacy by representing to users that they could control Google’s access to their location data and allowing them to opt out of giving Google their location data, then Google switched users into allowing it to collect their location data,” alleges the Google class action lawsuit.

The plaintiff in the Facebook class action lawsuit is represented by Sabita J. Soneji and Katherine M. Aizpuru of Tycko & Zavareei LLP and Norman E. Siegel and Barrett J. Vahle of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP.

The plaintiffs in the Google class action lawsuit are represented by Ivy T. Ngo of Franklin D. Azar & Associates PC.

The Facebook Location Data Class Action Lawsuit is Heeger v. Facebook Inc., Case No. 3:18-­cv-­06399, the Google Location Data Class Action Lawsuit is Lee, et al. v. Google Inc., et al., Case No. 5:18­-cv­-06416, both are in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.