Apple, App Makers Sued Over Privacy Concerns

[Paul Daniel Ash]

We reported a couple weeks ago about an investigation showing that apps transmit personal data to advertisers despite Apple's rules against doing so. Now Apple has been hit with a lawsuit that accuses them, along with the developers of some popular apps, of revealing users' information without their consent. If the suit is granted class action status, millions of people could receive money from the companies.

The Wall Street Journal tested 101 apps and found that 56 transmitted personal data to third-party advertising companies, most without notifying the user first. As a result, Jonathan Lalo sued Apple and app makers including Pandora, the Weather Channel and Dictionary.com. In the suit, Lalo claims that the fact that the iPhone's UDID can't be blocked allows users to be tracked and profiled by advertisers. "Some apps are also selling additional information to ad networks," Lalo alleges in the lawsuit, "including users' location, age, gender, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation and political views."

Apple has not commented on the lawsuit, but has previously asserted that App Store rules prohibit using the UDID to uniquely identify users. Lalo is seeking class action status for the lawsuit, which would mean that anyone who downloaded an app on the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch between Dec. 1, 2008 and last week would be a party.

Source: BusinessWeek

[Den108]

Whoa. Sick.

[thevmax]

Testing...Testing...
Hello Big Brother.

[iphone?3gs]

an app or what app? I dont really think this is fair for apple, sure there a multi millionaire company, but they said dont do it right? They tried to stop it! Stevie im with you on this one.

[Poseidon79]

It's transmitting anonymous demographic data. People are making such a huge deal out of nothing. Unless they're giving out my phone number, address, email, credit card... then I don't care.

[dq13]

people will sue for anything now a days... but again, they shouldn't be collecting that kind of info without your consent. I know its not like they're gonna scam you or anything, but hey, at least let me know ur tracking me

[zeroskater61]

So that pretty much includes every single person with an iPod touch,iPhone, and iPad.. Wow how many heads would that be? Now imagine everyone getting back a little piece of the action from this? Oh wow even if it was a dollar worths in iTunes credit that they gave out. Still a lot.

[CaptainChaos]

I still say that privacy is a must. Tailored ads are something I personally do not need, want, or see necessary. If I want an ad I will google for them.

[Yenjoi]

Thats pretty insane if apple gives money to anyone who has downloaded a app but then again apple will probably win the case

[Turb02]

with the amount of times these apps have been downloaded, each user would probably get back some minuscule amount like .0001. Its more headache than its worth to be in a CAL

[steve-z17]

WHAT?!?! Another law suit?? How can this be???...................

[Maxhasadhd]

so everyone that got pandora gets money? thats alota money how do we get it though?

[Vinger]

$$$$$ that's what all see in this. All I want is to name and shame the guilty parties and make them change it so that I have a choice to allow it or not. The offending app devs are making money from you and me, at least give me a say in this.


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[whereswaldo]

Let's hope they win, cause then anyone could sue and win

[LSZ33]

This could get ugly for Apple and the devs who implemented these trackers. If anyone gets compensated, that would be a huge blow to Apple or whomever is found at fault. No Bueno.

[Chad711]

Can't wait to get my $1.50 from the suit....

[hbdragon88]

Just jailbreak and pony up $2.99 for Firewall IP. Problem solved. You also get to block ads, too. Suppose you play Words with Friends, you already made up the money you would have paid to get the ad-free version ($2.99).

[dustin942000]

Let's hope they win, cause then anyone could sue and win

+1 :]

[phoenix81]

Classaction suits are a bogus way for lawyers to make millions. The people don't see jack squat. If petitioned dont join they just wanna get rich while the people get a $1.38

[dthiss]

It's transmitting anonymous demographic data. People are making such a huge deal out of nothing. Unless they're giving out my phone number, address, email, credit card... then I don't care.

That is so short sighted. It's not exactly what they are transmitting, but they are doing it without our knowledge or consent. That anonymous data could be used for nefarious acts. I for one do not want any info sent without my consent.