August 18th, 2009 • Identity, Legal Issues, Social Networks
Tags: CNET News, facebook, privacy laws
According to CNET News, a group of Facebook users filed a civil lawsuit Monday that alleges the social-networking site is violating California consumer privacy laws.
The lawsuit, which was filed in California’s Orange County Superior Court on behalf of five users, seeks a jury trial, as well as damages and attorneys’ fees. The five plaintiffs are described as two children younger than 13, a user of the original Facebook, a professional photographer, and an actress and model.
The 40-page complaint accuses the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company of violating California privacy and online privacy laws by disseminating private information to 3rd parties for commercial purposes.
Facebook is no stranger to privacy controversy. In July, an
investigation by Canada’s privacy commissioner suggested Facebook is unconcerned with members’ privacy and called on it to do more. Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart expressed concern that while it’s easy for members to deactivate their accounts, it’s less clear on how to actually delete them. Facebook could therefore retain member data from deactivated accounts for an indefinite period of time in violation of Canadian privacy law.
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