Amazon’s alleged data tracking practices face legal scrutiny in California’s federal court, sparking a debate about privacy and consumer rights.
Key Takeaways
- A class action lawsuit accuses Amazon of secretly tracking consumer data.
- The lawsuit alleges Amazon collected sensitive geolocation data without consent.
- The legal battle highlights concerns over unauthorized data collection and sale.
- The lawsuit seeks $5 billion in damages for affected Californians.
Amazon’s Alleged Data Tracking Practices
A class action lawsuit filed in the San Francisco district court accuses Amazon of covertly tracking consumer data through their cell phones. The lawsuit alleges that Amazon leveraged its Amazon Ads SDK to integrate into various apps, gaining unauthorized access to personal data on user devices. This data reportedly includes timestamped geolocation details, providing insights into consumers’ home and work addresses.
The complaint, filed by Felix Kolotinsky, claims Amazon collected personal information from apps like “Speedtest” and “NewsBreak.” Such data, as argued in the lawsuit, not only transgresses privacy norms but also contravenes California’s state law on unauthorized data access.
The gathered data allegedly includes sensitive details like religious affiliations, orientations, and health issues. Kolotinsky claims the data mining pipeline allowed Amazon to build detailed consumer profiles, including precise geolocation and device fingerprint information, enabling the company to monetize this valuable information.
Amazon accused of secretly tracking shoppers — and selling sensitive data collected through backdoor https://t.co/aXsVp46Z6o pic.twitter.com/Nrlf00kPPl
— New York Post (@nypost) January 29, 2025
Legal and Financial Implications
The lawsuit seeks $5 billion in damages due to what it calls unauthorized and undisclosed data collection methods. It references a study, arguing that even minimal location data can accurately identify individuals, further underscoring the potential privacy invasions faced by millions of Californians.
Amazon, yet to respond, is embroiled in a legal battle that could set precedents in data protection practices. Other data-related lawsuits, such as the one filed against Allstate in Texas, illustrate the growing public concern and scrutiny over companies allegedly profiting from unauthorized data amassed through technology.
California’s Data Privacy Standards
The case underlines California’s stringent legal framework on consumer data protection, as companies must comply with the state’s laws on unauthorized technological activities. Filed under case number 25-00931 in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, it argues Amazon’s practices infringe on state penal laws and regulations regarding data collection without consumer consent
Sources
- Amazon secretly tracked consumers through their cellphones, lawsuit alleges
- Amazon created software to secretly track location data of consumers via their phones, lawsuit claims
- Amazon accused of secretly tracking shoppers — and selling sensitive data collected through backdoor
