Google, UPS class action alleges package tracking system shares users’ private data

Google, UPS class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Two consumers are suing Google LLC and United Parcel Service of America Inc.
• Why: The plaintiffs allege the companies’ package tracking system shares users’ private information with third parties.
• Where: The Google, UPS class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit accuses Google and UPS of sharing users’ private information with third parties through a package tracking system.

Plaintiffs Lennie Woodley and Joseph S. Schrant filed the class action complaint against Google and UPS on Oct. 9 in California federal court, alleging violations of state privacy laws.

The plaintiffs claim the companies collaborated to develop the package tracking system, which promised consumers that their private information would not be shared, when in fact it was shared with multiple third parties.

According to the class action lawsuit, the tracking system enables consumers to enter package tracking numbers into Google’s “Track your package” widget on Google Search to receive tracking information. The system is integrated with popular package carriers, including UPS, FedEx and the United States Postal Service.

“When consumers search for their package tracking numbers on Google Search, the package tracking system designed by Google and the carriers, including UPS, displays to them a ‘Track your package’ widget near the top of the search results,” the UPS class action lawsuit says.

According to the plaintiffs, consumers are enticed to use the widget with the statement, “Only your tracking number will be sent” to the selected carrier — a representation they claim is false.

The class action lawsuit further alleges that when consumers click the widget’s “Track” button, massive amounts of data are sent not only to the relevant carrier but also to multiple undisclosed third parties, including Facebook, Google’s DoubleClick advertising platform, Google Analytics, Adobe, Microsoft, Quantum Metric, The Trade Desk, Yahoo and others.

Clicking a UPS track button sent hundreds of network requests, lawsuit claims

The plaintiffs allege that clicking the track button associated with a UPS package directly caused the user’s browser to send 415 separate network requests to UPS and many third-party domains.

Similarly, clicking the track button for a FedEx package caused the user’s browser to send 142 separate network requests to at least 19 different domains, the UPS class action lawsuit claims.

Each of these unauthorized requests allegedly contained a variety of information about the consumer and the consumer’s package other than the package tracking number.

The plaintiffs seek to represent anyone who used the “Track your package” widget on Google Search and clicked or pressed the track button.

They are suing for invasion of privacy, intrusion upon seclusion, wiretapping in violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act, common law fraud, deceit and/or misrepresentation and unjust enrichment and are seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

Currently, UPS is facing a lawsuit from two former employees who claim the company failed to provide meal and rest breaks, thus violating Washington labor law.

Have you ever used the “Track your package” widget on Google? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by Seth A. Safier, Marie A. McCrary and Todd Kennedy of Gutride Safier LLP.

The Google, UPS class action lawsuit is Woodley, et al. v. Google LLC, et al., Case No. 5:26-cv-11715, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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