25,000 Users Join Facebook Privacy Challenge, Similar to a "class action lawsuit"

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25,000 Users Join Facebook Privacy Challenge, Similar to a "class action lawsuit"

engine

3:56 pm on Aug 6, 2014 (gmt 0)

The user tracking is something many don't realise, and whilst it's "ok" in the US, it's perhaps not OK in the EU.

A data privacy campaigner has signed up 25,000 people to a "class action lawsuit" being taken against Facebook.

Max Schrems alleges that the way the social network monitors its members' activity on and off the site puts it in breach of EU laws.

As part of the claim, he also alleges that the company co-operated with Prism, a US surveillance scheme.25,000 Users Join Facebook Privacy Challenge, Similar to a "class action lawsuit" [bbc.co.uk]

...he explains, the dispute with Facebook is intended to be a "model case" that sets a precedent addressing the wider problem of tech firm developing products that comply with US laws, but are not adapted for other countries' rules.

brotherhood of LAN

5:11 pm on Aug 6, 2014 (gmt 0)

The limits of privacy and intellectual property "fair use" are two things I hear a lot of disquiet about. It can only be a good thing to shine a light here and have the applicable laws scrutinised, and perhaps even changed.

incrediBILL

11:57 pm on Aug 6, 2014 (gmt 0)

Smells like someone is just out to pick a deep pocket, yet again.

It's nonsense like this that makes US companies want to close shop in foreign countries and keep all the money earned at home.

Wonder how the Irish would like that if Facebook just packed up and left, taking all the money with them and leaving a long line of unemployed in their wake?

Of course the irony isn't lost of me that the countries with more surveillance cameras than anywhere in the world harp on "online privacy" perhaps since they've totally lost it in the real world.

graeme_p

5:02 am on Aug 7, 2014 (gmt 0)

It's nonsense like this that makes US companies want to close shop in foreign countries and keep all the money earned at home.

All the money they would not be making without access to foreign advertisers? If you want to operate somewhere, you abide by their laws.

Wonder how the Irish would like that if Facebook just packed up and left, taking all the money with them and leaving a long line of unemployed in their wake?

Went where? If they moved outside the EU they will have to pay more tax in the EU they would lose the tax shelter Ireland provides.

Of course the irony isn't lost of me that the countries with more surveillance cameras than anywhere in the world harp on "online privacy" perhaps since they've totally lost it in the real world.

You do realise that the people who are for online privacy are the same people who are for offline privacy as well?

Martin Ice Web

7:32 am on Aug 7, 2014 (gmt 0)

incrediBILL@ in our opinion Money goes over privacy? Just while paying taxes the laws are not accomplished for this companies?
Do you have a Business? Do you pay taxes? Are u big enough in our Ccountry so that u are now allowed to park our car in a stopping restriction area? NO? There is no difference between this two cases.

And he is not out for a deep pocket. Every of the subscribers should get 500 EUR if they win this lawsit, it is not him.

zeus

8:56 am on Aug 7, 2014 (gmt 0)

I think its about time, people doing something about this, kids also use fb, old people,... people that just dont know whats up with there data. Its always US companies that pushes the limit, Google, FB, Amazon,... Hopefully USA will wake up and do something about Privacy.