Tech News Buzz: Privacy lawsuit against Apple "The app use our data"

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Privacy lawsuit against Apple "The app use our data"

SAN JOSE '(California) - trouble ahead for Apple after a consumer group has filed a lawsuit for fraud and breach of privacy by computer. The process, which began Dec. 23 before a court in San Jose, California, could gain class action status. According to the indictment, some applications for iPhone and iPad (eg Pandora, Paper Toss, but also Dictionary.

Com and Weather Channel) to transmit personal information to research firms and ad networks without your consent. In particular, the codes that identify the devices (iPhone and iPad contain a "Unique Device Identifier, unique identifier, which can not be blocked by the user) to allow third parties to monitor what software is downloaded and how often and how long are used.

"Some applications also sell additional information, such as age, income, address, sexual orientation, ethnic background and political views," it said in the documentation submitted by consumers. The case of a controversial use of hearing of these applications had been raised in recent weeks by the Wall Street Journal.

The cause, said Majed Nachawati, one of the lawyers involved in the process, is based on the need for those who use the Internet has "complete information" concerning the processing of data. In seeking damages, the people who have filed a lawsuit complaining that "their personal property, like computers, have been transformed into a means to spy on their online activities." Nachwati stressed that it is simply to inform users and obtain their consent: "I not only used the data and your privacy is violated," he said, "but the companies involved will also derive benefit.

And if they benefit, must properly inform the people who are the source. " (December 28, 2010)