Twitter class action alleges company uses personal information for marketing purposes

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Twitter personal info marketing class action lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A group of Twitter users led by Peter Gianakopoulos have filed a class action lawsuit against Twitter, Inc. 
• Why: The Twitter users claim the social networking company failed to disclose that it was using their email addresses and telephone numbers for marketing and advertising purposes. 
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court. 

Twitter does not disclose to its users that it uses their telephone numbers and email addresses for marketing and advertising purposes, a new class action lawsuit alleges. 

A group of Twitter users led by Peter Gianakopoulos claims the social networking company “solicited and collected” their phone numbers and email addresses “under the guise” that they were needed for account security functions. 

The Twitter users argue the company actually used the information to “line its own pockets” by matching the obtained telephone numbers and email addresses with those on lists owned by advertisers. 

“This case seeks vindication and recompense on behalf of the individual consumers whose Personal Information Twitter connivingly collected and deployed,” the Twitter class action states. 

Twitter class action claims users believed contact information would only be used for account security 

The belief among Twitter users was that their telephone numbers and/or email addresses would be used toward enabling two-factor authentication, account re-authentication and account recovery, according to the Twitter class action. 

The plaintiffs claim the company is guilty of unjust enrichment, breach of contract and breach of implied contract and in violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law. 

They demand a jury trial and request declaratory and injunctive relief along with compensatory, statutory and nominal damages for themselves and all class members. 

The Twitter users want to represent a nationwide class of Twitter account holders who provided the company with their telephone number and/or email address under the assumption it would be used for account security purposes. 

In related Twitter news, last month, Twitter disclosed that a data breach affecting its platform exposed the personal contact information of more than 5.4 million of its users. 

Have you provided Twitter with your email address or phone number? Let us know in the comments! 

The plaintiffs are represented by Sophia Rios and E. Michelle Drake of Berger Montague PC and Kate M. Baxter-Kauf and Karen Hanson Riebel of Lockridge Grindal Nauen P.L.L.P. 

The Twitter class action lawsuit is Gianakopoulos, et al. v. Twitter, Inc., Case No. 3:22-cv-04674, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

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