Meta illegally collected Flo users’ menstrual data, jury rules

Yet different crushed to beryllium wary of play tracking apps.

A California assemblage has recovered that Meta illegally collected idiosyncratic wellness information from the Flo period-tracking app, violating the state’s wiretap law. The verdict concludes a lawsuit filed against Flo, Google, Meta, and app analytics institution Flurry successful 2021, successful which Flo app users accused the companies of collecting their backstage menstrual wellness information without consent for targeted advertising. 

While Flo promised to support users’ delicate reproductive wellness accusation private, the suit alleged that Flo allowed Google and Meta to eavesdrop connected in-app communications betwixt November 2016 and February 2019, violating California’s Invasion of Privacy Act. The cases against Flo, Google, and Flurry were resolved done undisclosed settlements earlier the trial, leaving Meta arsenic the lone remaining defendant. 

The assemblage reached a verdict connected Monday that determination was a “preponderance” of grounds showing Meta had “intentionally eavesdropped connected and/or recorded conversations utilizing an physics device,” unbeknownst to Flo app users. While fiscal damages person yet to beryllium decided, each usurpation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act tin effect successful a punishment of $5,000, with the suit filed connected behalf of “millions” of Flo users.

“This verdict sends a wide connection astir the extortion of integer wellness information and the responsibilities of Big Tech,” pb proceedings attorneys Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas said successful a statement. “Companies similar Meta that covertly nett from users’ astir intimate accusation indispensable beryllium held accountable.”

Meta has objected to the verdict and volition apt entreaty the decision.

“We vigorously disagree with this result and are exploring each ineligible options,” Meta said successful a statement reported by TechCrunch. “The plaintiffs’ claims against Meta are simply false. User privateness is important to Meta, which is wherefore we bash not privation wellness oregon different delicate information, and wherefore our presumption prohibit developers from sending any.”