Radisson finger scan $465K class action settlement

Radisson agreed to pay $465,000 to resolve claims it violated Illinois’ biometric privacy law by using fingerprint time clocks.

The settlement benefits current and former Radisson employees who were required to use their fingerprint to clock in and out of work at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago between Jan. 15, 2016, and May 13, 2022.

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is an award-winning hotel within walking distance of popular Chicago landmarks including Millenium Park, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier. The hotel boasts accommodations such as electric car charging stations, an indoor pool and fitness center.

However, legal action against Radisson argues employees of the hotel had their privacy rights violated.

According to the Radisson class action lawsuit, hotel employees were required to clock in and out of work using a fingerprint time keeping device. Despite regularly collecting and storing employee fingerprints, Radisson allegedly failed to get consent required by Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

BIPA requires companies to get written consent and provide specific written disclosures before collecting, storing or sharing sensitive biometric data such as fingerprints. The law also standardizes destruction and retention of this data to avoid the risk of biometrics being stolen in a data breach. 

Plaintiffs in the BIPA class action lawsuit argue Radisson could have easily complied with the law’s requirements but failed to do so. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant damages, as sought by the plaintiffs in their BIPA class action lawsuit.

Radisson hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $465,000 to resolve these BIPA allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can collect a cash payment. Each class member will receive an equal share of the net settlement fund. 

Payments will vary depending on the number of individuals who chose to participate in the settlement, but payments could be as high as $570 per class member. Exact amounts may be higher or lower.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is July 12, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Radisson settlement is scheduled for Aug. 23, 2022.

No claim form is required to benefit from the Radisson settlement. However, class members can update their address or request an electronic payment through the settlement website.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement benefits current and former Radisson employees who were required to use their fingerprint to clock in and out of work at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago between Jan. 15, 2016, and May 13, 2022.

Potential Award

TBD

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Exclusion and Objection Deadline

07/12/2022

Case Name

Anthony Smith v. Radisson Hospitality. Inc., et. al., Case No. 2021CH 00177, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Law Division

Final Hearing

08/23/2022

Settlement Website

RadissonBluBiometricsSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Radisson Blu Biometrics Settlement
c/o JND Legal Administration
PO Box 91244
Seattle, WA 98111
info@RadissonBluBiometricsSettlement.com
844-202-9488

Class Counsel

Arun Ravindran
HEDIN HALL LLP

Defense Counsel

John F Grady
GRADY BELL LLP

Ryan Mick
Trevor Brown
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP