Illinois Snapchat Users File Class Action Lawsuit Over Facial Recognition Technology

Are you a frequent user of Snapchat in the state of Illinois? Well, you may be interested to know that a group of users has recently filed a class action lawsuit against the popular social media platform over its use of facial recognition technology. This controversial practice raises questions about privacy and data security for millions of users. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details surrounding this lawsuit and what it could mean for Snapchat’s future. So buckle up and get ready to learn more about one of the hottest legal battles in tech today!

Introduction to the Snapchat Class Action Lawsuit

In May of 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed against Snapchat in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The lawsuit alleges that Snapchat’s facial recognition technology violates the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act. If you’re an Illinois resident who has used Snapchat, you may be affected by this lawsuit.

Snapchat is a phone app that lets users send photos and videos to each other. What makes Snapchat unique is that the photos and videos disappear after they’re viewed. Snapchat also has a number of filters that can be applied to photos and videos. One of these filters is the “Lenses” filter, which uses facial recognition technology to track the user’s facial expressions and overlay animated graphics on top of the user’s face.

The lawsuit alleges that Snapchat collected biometric data without the user’s consent or knowledge. This data was then used to create a three-dimensional map of the user’s face. This map could be used to identify the user, even if they were not using the app at the time. The lawsuit also alleges that Snapchat stored this data without taking proper security precautions, leaving it vulnerable to hackers.

If you’re an Illinois resident who has used Snapchat, you may be part of this class action lawsuit. If the lawsuit is successful, you could receive compensation for any damages you’ve incurred as a result of Snapchat’s violation of your privacy rights.

Overview of the Legal Complaint

On October 7, 2019, a class action lawsuit was filed against Snapchat in the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs, Illinois residents Nima Adelstein and Tim Martin, allege that Snapchat’s facial recognition technology violates their privacy rights under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).

The plaintiffs allege that Snapchat collects and stores biometric data without their consent or knowledge. They also allege that Snapchat fails to provide adequate security measures to protect this data from unauthorized access or disclosure. As a result, the plaintiffs claim that they have suffered harm including but not limited to loss of control over their personal information and potential identity theft.

The suit seeks damages for the plaintiffs as well as injunctive relief to stop Snapchat from continuing to collect and store biometric data without consent.

What are the Allegations?

The allegations in the lawsuit are that Snapchat’s use of facial recognition technology violates Illinois state law. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that Snapchat’s use of the technology violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The BIPA requires companies to obtain written consent from individuals before collecting, storing, or using their biometric information. The plaintiffs allege that Snapchat did not obtain their consent before collecting and storing their facial recognition data.

The plaintiffs are seeking class action status for the lawsuit. If the lawsuit is granted class action status, it would allow all Illinois residents who have used Snapchat to join the lawsuit. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages and an injunction preventing Snapchat from continuing to use facial recognition technology without obtaining consent from users.

Who is Involved in the Case?

The lawsuit was filed by three Snapchat users in Illinois. They allege that the company’s facial recognition technology violates their privacy rights. The plaintiffs are seeking class action status on behalf of all Illinois residents who have used Snapchat.

The defendants in the case are Snapchat, Inc. and its parent company, Snap, Inc.

What Does this Mean for Future Privacy Laws?

The Illinois Snapchat users who have filed a class action lawsuit against the company allege that its facial recognition technology violates their privacy rights. If the plaintiffs are successful in their lawsuit, it could set a precedent for future privacy laws.

The plaintiffs in the case allege that Snapchat’s use of facial recognition technology violates the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. The Act requires companies to obtain consent from individuals before collecting, storing, or using biometric information. The plaintiffs allege that Snapchat collected and stored their biometric information without their consent.

If the plaintiffs are successful in their lawsuit, it could set a precedent for future privacy laws. The case could also have a significant impact on how companies use facial recognition technology.

How Will This Affect Social Media Platforms Going Forward?

The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and the introduction of new technologies often has a significant impact on the way platforms are used. The recent lawsuit filed by Illinois Snapchat users is a perfect example of this.

The lawsuit alleges that Snapchat’s use of facial recognition technology violates Illinois law, and if the plaintiffs are successful, it could have major implications for other social media platforms that make use of similar technology. This case will likely be closely watched by both the legal and tech communities, as it has the potential to set a precedent for how these types of technologies can be used in the future.

It remains to be seen how this case will play out, but it definitely has the potential to change the way social media platforms operate. If you’re a user of any platform that makes use of facial recognition technology, it’s worth keeping an eye on this case to see how it develops.

Conclusion

This class action lawsuit is an important reminder that technology companies need to respect users’ privacy and not use facial recognition technology without permission. The case will likely have a wide-reaching impact on the way tech companies handle user data in Illinois, as well as across the nation. It’s also an example of how individuals can take legal action when their rights are violated, which may give hope to those who feel powerless in the face of invasions of privacy by tech giants.