SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California resident is alleging in a class action lawsuit that Meta is illegally tracking its users' online activity through the Facebook App.
Laurence Hughes, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Oct. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Meta Platforms Inc., alleging violation of federal and state wiretap laws and other claims.
Hughes alleges in the class action that he has had an active Facebook account for several years and that Meta "tracked and intercepted" his electronic activity while using the Facebook App on his iPhone. Specifically, Hughes claims Meta used a JavaScript code to track his private communications with external third-party websites including text entries, passwords and personally identifiable information without his knowledge or consent.
He alleges there is no "prominent notice" given to Facebook users disclosing its tracking practice and users do not realize that using the Facebook in-app overrides their privacy settings and enables Meta to monitor their website activity. Hughes alleges Meta's deceptive actions constitute violation of the Wiretap Act and invasion of privacy among other claims and that those actions have led to the company's profits at the expense of users' privacy.
Hughes and the class seek monetary relief, trial by jury and all other just relief. They are represented by Todd Carpenter of Lynch Carpenter LLP in San Diego.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California case number 3:22-CV-05747-TSH