Google faces US privacy suit over user data policy

A California court has allowed a privacy class action suit against Google to continue, though only in part.

After evaluating each claim of each sub-class in the suit, Magistrate Judge Paul S. Grewal has allowed two claims of the "Android Application Disclosure Subclass," which includes all persons and entities in the U.S. that acquired an Android-powered device between Aug. 19, 2004 and the present, and downloaded at least one Android application through the Android Market or Google Play.

On March 1, 2012, Google introduced a single, unified policy that allows the company to comingle user data across accounts and disclose it to third parties for advertising purposes.

This move triggered the class action lawsuit in March, 2012 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose division, which argued that by switching to the less-restrictive privacy policy without user consent, Google violated both its prior policies and consumers' privacy rights, according to court records.

The Android Application Disclosure Subclass claimed Google's disclosures to third parties caused increased battery and bandwidth consumption as well as invasions of their statutory and common law privacy rights.

The suit was filed over two years ago and since then the court twice dismissed the plaintiffs' claims. Google moved for a third dismissal.

The claims allowed by the judge includes a breach of contract claim that Google breached terms of the contract by disclosing user data to third parties following every download or purchase of an app, resulting in damages in the form of resource consumption. The second claim is under California's Unfair Competition Law.

Claims by persons and entities in the U.S. that acquired an Android-powered device between May 1, 2010 and Feb. 29, 2012 and switched to a non-Android device on or after March 1, 2012 were dismissed.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9249913/Google_to_face_US_privacy_suit

« Mass Surveillance: The Internet’s best engineers are fighting back
Cyber Security Insurance Underwriters Demand their Clients Understand the Threat Landscape »

ManageEngine
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Check Point

Directory of Suppliers

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

Syxsense

Syxsense

Syxsense brings together endpoint management and security for greater efficiency and collaboration between IT management and security teams.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

CyTech Services

CyTech Services

CyTech provides unique services and solutions complemented with professional subject matter experts to both the Federal and Commercial sectors.

Tukan IT

Tukan IT

Tukan IT provides a data classification and protection solution.

Salient CRGT

Salient CRGT

Salient CRGT is a leading provider of health, data analytics, cloud, agile software development, mobility, cyber security, and infrastructure solutions.

Circadence

Circadence

Circadence offer the only fully immersive, AI-powered, patent-pending, proprietary cybersecurity training platform in the market today.

Oznet Cyber Security

Oznet Cyber Security

Oznet Cyber Security is dedicated to offering integral solutions oriented to the support and security of information.

CYQUEO

CYQUEO

CYQUEO is your professional partner and system integrator. We secure your organization against advanced cyber threats.

Applied Magnetics Laboratory (AML)

Applied Magnetics Laboratory (AML)

Applied Magnetics Laboratory is a manufacturer of military security and data destruction equipment for sensitive, classified, and secret information.

CYSEC SA

CYSEC SA

Cysec is equipped to deliver agile security solutions for the most challenging IT infrastructures around the world.

oneclick

oneclick

oneclick is a central access and distribution platform in the cloud, enabling the management of the entire technology stack for application provisioning.

Lansweeper

Lansweeper

Lansweeper is an IT Asset Management platform provider helping businesses better understand, manage and protect their IT devices and network.

Tidelift

Tidelift

Tidelift provides the tools, data, and strategies that help organizations assess risk and improve the health, security, and resilience of the open source used in their applications.

Modern Networks

Modern Networks

Modern Networks is a leading provider of IT managed services to the UK’s commercial property sector and medium sized enterprises.

nodeQ

nodeQ

At nodeQ, we are pioneering the future of computer networks, leveraging our deep expertise in quantum communication, artificial intelligence, and software-defined networking.

Access Talent Today

Access Talent Today

Access Talent Today is an AI/ML and cyber security talent provider.

X-PHY

X-PHY

X-PHY is a pioneering cybersecurity company dedicated to hardware-based cybersecurity solutions that protect data at its core.

DigiGlass

DigiGlass

DigiGlass is a cutting-edge cybersecurity service provider powered by Redington Gulf, a leading technology distributor in the Middle East and Africa.