Apple accused of misusing customers’ personal info in Massachusetts lawsuit

A Massachusetts lawsuit accuses Apple of violating state law by collecting customer’s zip codes and then profiting by selling this information to third parties. The suit seeks class action status and is asking for up to $75 per violation.The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Adam Christensen, Jeffrey Scolnick, and William Farrell, who claim they were required to give out their zip code when making purchases at Apple retail stores in Massachusetts. This practice is prohibited by the Massachusetts Unfair Trade Practices Act, which allows companies to only collect that information which is necessary for processing the transaction. The plaintiffs allege the practice caused them harm because they received unwanted marketing materials and their personal information was sold to third-parties. First, Plaintiffs and the Class have been injured because they have received unwanted marketing materials from Apple as a result of having provided their zip codes when using credit cards at Apple. Second, Plaintiffs and the Class have been injured by Apple’s sale of Plaintiffs’ and the Class’ PII to third-parties, which was collected by Apple in violation of Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 93 § 105(c). And third, Plaintiffs and the Class have been injured because Apple misappropriated their economically valuable PII [Personally Identifiable Information] without consideration. The plaintiffs tried to settle with Apple and asked for $25 per violation and a “reasonable incentive reward.” When Apple didnt settle, the plaintiffs took the case to court. Apple has yet to respond to the suit. [Via AppleInsider] Continue reading →

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