By: Linda L. Goodman
Last month, three consumers filed a lawsuit against Apple, Inc. alleging that Apple, Inc. violated consumers’ privacy rights and disregarded its legal responsibility by systematically disclosing the personal listening information of iTunes users.
The information that Apple sells to third parties includes full names, home addresses, genre of music purchased and downloaded, and music even stored on iPhones. Apple sells the data to developers of mobile applications, direct-mail advertisers, data analytics companies, and marketing firms, data aggregators, data appenders, data cooperatives, and list brokers.
The iTunes users said that the third parties can then add other personal information about Apple customers, such as sex, age, household income, education, and marital status, then selling that compiled information to anyone due to an unregulated market.
The complaint outlines that anyone can pay to see the iTunes consumer list in various breakdown by any demographic they desire. The lists are sold for about $136 for 1,000 consumers.
Also, according to the complaint, the plaintiffs say that Apple violated the privacy rights of millions of other customers and as a result, those customers are barraged with junk mail to home addresses and junk mail to email addresses. That Apple violated the Rhode Island Video Audio and Publication Rentals Privacy Act along with the Michigan Preservation of Personal Privacy Act.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction, restitution, and other relief.
The Case Information is: Wheaton, et al. v. Apple, Inc.; Case Number: 5:19-cv-02883, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
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This article was originally posted on Cliclaw.com as part of my ongoing efforts to share valuable legal insights. I regularly contribute guest blogs to leading websites in the field of internet compliance. In these posts, I cover a range of topics to help businesses stay compliant in the ever-evolving digital world. You can read my latest guest contributions on Cliclaw.com.
This article is a publication of The Goodman Law Firm and is intended to provide information on recent legal developments. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor should it be construed as legal advice or an opinion on specific situations. This may constitute “Attorney Advertising” under the Rules of Professional Conduct and under the law of other jurisdictions.
Linda L. Goodman is the founder of The Goodman Law Firm, concentrating its practice in internet business and law. Her firm’s clients include Advertisers, Affiliates, Affiliate Networks, and ISP’s.
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