Amazon Accused of Quietly Mapping Customer Lives Through Phone Data, Faces Legal Action
Amazon’s Data-Tracking Practices Under Fire in Lawsuit
What’s the TL;DR?
Amazon is facing a lawsuit accusing the company of secretly tracking users through their smartphones and collecting personal data without consent. The lawsuit claims Amazon used its Ads SDK to gain access to user data, revealing sensitive information like location, health conditions, and religious beliefs.
The Allegations
A new lawsuit claims Amazon is invading the privacy of millions of users by secretly collecting their data through popular apps. The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco court, alleges that Amazon’s data collection practices are a violation of California’s privacy and computer access laws.
According to the complaint, Amazon’s Ads SDK, embedded in third-party apps, allowed the company to track users’ movements in intimate detail, revealing information like:
• Where they live, work, and shop
• Their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and health conditions
The lawsuit claims that Amazon packaged and sold this data for profit, effectively "fingerprinting" consumers without their knowledge or consent.
The Lawsuit’s Key Details
The lawsuit, brought by California resident Felix Kolotinsky, claims that Amazon collected his data through the popular "Speedtest by Ookla" app. The complaint states that Amazon’s actions are a violation of California’s privacy and computer access laws.
Kolotinsky is seeking $5 billion in damages on behalf of millions of Californians allegedly affected by Amazon’s practices.
The Implications
This lawsuit highlights the increasing concerns over how companies collect and profit from user data without explicit permission. The case underscores how seemingly harmless code hidden in everyday apps can reveal intimate details about our lives.
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Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
