SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Facebook users have filed a class action against Meta over the social media platform's in-app tracking of their online activity.
Gabriele Willis and Kerreisha Davis, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Sept. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Meta Platforms Inc., alleging violation of the Wiretap Act and California's Invasion of Privacy Act and other claims.
The plaintiffs allege in their class action that Meta, formerly known as Facebook, used their private browsing activity, intercepted communications and monitored and recorded their in-app usage without their consent. They allege even if users do not consent to being tracked, Meta still tracks Facebook users' online activity as well as third-party communications through its app by manipulating third-party websites and using an injected JavaScript code on its in-app browsers.
The plaintiffs further allege Meta uses the app to monitor users without telling them they are being tracked and records "personal identifiable information" including health details, text entries and other confidential information in violation of federal and state privacy laws. They also allege Meta misled and actively concealed its tracking practice and that they would have avoided navigating third party websites from within Facebook if they had known they were being tracked.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Adam Polk, Jordan Elias, Simon Grille and Kimberly Macey of Girard Sharp LLP in San Francisco.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 3:22-CV-05376-TSH