Latest news with #FelixKolotinsky
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposed Class Action Alleges Amazon Allows Third Parties to ‘Covertly Siphon' Consumer Location Data
One California customer is accusing Amazon of getting a little too personal. In a proposed class-action lawsuit filed on Wednesday in California's Northern District Court, Felix Kolotinsky, a California resident, argues that Amazon is illegally tracking and selling consumers' geolocation data to third parties. More from Sourcing Journal UPS Lowers Amazon Volume; Hapag-Lloyd Sees Rise in Container Transport Amazon Makes Plans to Launch Drone Delivery in the United Kingdom Amazon Slapped with $96M Complaint by Chinese Ocean Carrier for Breaking Contract Kolotinsky alleges that the technology and e-commerce giant does so through a software development kit (SDK), which it uses to gain 'backdoor access to consumers' devices.' The complaint further notes that, in order to do so, Amazon allows its SDK, called Amazon Ads SDK, to be integrated into a variety of apps, like NewsBreak and Speedtest by Ookla, without consumers' consent. The plaintiff reportedly used the Speedtest by Ookla app, allegedly exposing him to the Amazon Ads SDK and allowing Amazon to access sensitive data without his understanding. That, he notes, violates consumers' privacy. '[Amazon's] business model is to collect information from consumers and sell access to its ill-gotten data to brands and advertisers,' Kolotinsky said in the complaint. By collecting data like timestamped latitude and longitude geolocation coordinates, Amazon can easily identify a user's identity, the lawsuit states, citing MIT data that shows a handful of data points on location can sufficiently identify an individual. 'Amazon has effectively fingerprinted consumers and has correlated a vast amount of personal information about them entirely without consumers' knowledge and consent,' Kolotinsky alleges. The plaintiff proposed a class inclusive of all California residents who downloaded and used a mobile app that had Amazon Ads SDK embedded without publicly disclosing the software in its notices or privacy agreements. Kolotinsky and his counsel estimate that millions of consumers could qualify for the class, should the judge certify it. Kolotinsky alleges that Amazon violated a section of California penal code and California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act. Kolotinsky seeks $5,000 per violation from the company on the former claim and additional damages from the latter claim. He also asks the judge to certify the class, appoint Kolotinsky as lead plaintiff, declare that Amazon did violate California law with the SDK and enjoin Amazon from unlawful activities as set out throughout the complaint. 'Ultimately, the Amazon Ads SDK has allowed Amazon to secretly create a detailed log of [Kolotinsky's] and the putative class's precise movement patterns, along with a dossier of their likes and interests, all without their consent or permission,' he alleged. Amazon did not respond to Sourcing Journal's request for comment. Related cases have been popping up across the United States, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) getting involved in some instances. Last year, the agency announced four cases that took issue with how companies collect and use consumers' geolocation data. It filed cases against Mobilewalla, Gravy and its subsidiary Venntel, InMarket and X-Mode and its successor Outlogic and eventually prohibited each of the companies from collecting and selling sensitive consumer location data.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon secretly tracked consumers through their cellphones, lawsuit alleges
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Ever feel like your phone is listening to you? Like when you talk about something aloud, and suddenly your web browser serves you ads for what you were talking about? Well, a lawsuit filed Wednesday against Amazon alleges the e-commerce giant has been using consumers phones to get information about them. While the class action suit filed in a San Francisco district court doesn't exactly allege Amazon is using phones to listen to them, it does accuse the company of using phones to track people. Vallejo murder suspect Maximillian Snyder may be connected to string of killings across the country The lawsuit, according to Reuters, alleges Amazon did this through Amazon Ads SDK, code provided to app developers that was then embedded in their apps. By gaining 'backdoor access' to people's phones, Amazon was allegedly able to collect timestamped geolocation data about where consumers live, work, shop and visit. This data allegedly included sensitive information like religious affiliation, sexual orientation, and health issues. The lawsuit, which was filed by Felix Kolotinsky of San Mateo, accuses Amazon of using phones to track consumers' movements and then selling the data it collects. The lawsuit is seeking $5 billion in damages Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon sued for illegally collecting data and tracking location of Californians
A group of consumers sued Amazon Wednesday for allegedly getting 'backdoor access' to their data and tracking their location. The suit, filed in San Francisco federal court, claims the retail giant 'surreptitiously collects sensitive data from consumers through its Amazon (AMZN) Ads SDK,' which is code it gives to app developers. It said that 'Amazon designed the Amazon Ads SDK so that Amazon could collect sensitive consumer data from Amazon not having their consent to collect such data.' The class action suit says that while consumers can choose to allow an app with Amazon Ads SDK to track their location, they cannot opt out of Amazon tracking them. 'At no point does Amazon inform consumers that its SDK is collecting their sensitive geolocation data, nor does it prompt consumers to grant Amazon permission to access or collect any data whatsoever,' the suit alleged. The lead plaintiff in the suit is Felix Kolotinsky of San Mateo, California. He claims Amazon obtained his data from the Speedtest by Ookla (ZD) app, which uses Amazon Ad SDK. His lawyers claim Amazon's actions violate California law and are seeking monetary damages for Californians who use apps with the Amazon Ads SDK. Amazon did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
USA Today
29-01-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lawsuit accuses Amazon of secretly tracking consumers through cellphones
Lawsuit accuses Amazon of secretly tracking consumers through cellphones Show Caption Hide Caption Amazon suspends drone deliveries in two states Amazon suspends drone operations in Texas and Arizona. The announcement was made after multiple crashes with two newly built drones during testing. Straight Arrow News AMZN.O was sued on Wednesday by consumers who accused the retailing giant of secretly tracking their movements through their cellphones, and selling data it collects. According to a proposed class action in San Francisco federal court, Amazon obtained "backdoor access" to consumers' phones by providing tens of thousands of app developers with code known as Amazon Ads SDK to be embedded in their apps. This allegedly enabled Amazon to collect an enormous amount of timestamped geolocation data about where consumers live, work, shop and visit, revealing sensitive information such as religious affiliations, sexual orientations and health concerns. "Amazon has effectively fingerprinted consumers and has correlated a vast amount of personal information about them entirely without consumers' knowledge and consent," the complaint said. The complaint was filed by Felix Kolotinsky of San Mateo, California, who said Amazon collected his personal information through the "Speedtest by Ookla" app on his phone. He said Amazon's conduct violated California's penal law and a state law against unauthorized computer access, and seeks unspecified damages for millions of Californians. Read more: Amazon is dropping its 'Try Before You Buy' purchasing option Amazon, based in Seattle, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the plaintiff did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. Individuals and regulators are increasingly complaining that companies are trying to profit from information gathered without consent from cellphones. On Jan. 13, the state of Texas sued Allstate ALL.N for allegedly tracking drivers through cellphones, using the data to raise premiums or deny coverage, and selling the data to other insurers. Allstate said its data collection fully complies with all laws and regulations. At least eight similar private lawsuits against Allstate have been subsequently filed. The case is Kolotinsky v Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-00931. Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawsuit accuses Amazon of secretly tracking consumers through cellphones
By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - was sued on Wednesday by consumers who accused the retailing giant of secretly tracking their movements through their cellphones, and selling data it collects. According to a proposed class action in San Francisco federal court, Amazon obtained "backdoor access" to consumers' phones by providing tens of thousands of app developers with code known as Amazon Ads SDK to be embedded in their apps. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. This allegedly enabled Amazon to collect an enormous amount of timestamped geolocation data about where consumers live, work, shop and visit, revealing sensitive information such as religious affiliations, sexual orientations and health concerns. "Amazon has effectively fingerprinted consumers and has correlated a vast amount of personal information about them entirely without consumers' knowledge and consent," the complaint said. The complaint was filed by Felix Kolotinsky of San Mateo, California, who said Amazon collected his personal information through the "Speedtest by Ookla" app on his phone. He said Amazon's conduct violated California's penal law and a state law against unauthorized computer access, and seeks unspecified damages for millions of Californians. Amazon, based in Seattle, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Lawyers for the plaintiff did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. Individuals and regulators are increasingly complaining that companies are trying to profit from information gathered without consent from cellphones. On Jan. 13, the state of Texas sued Allstate for allegedly tracking drivers through cellphones, using the data to raise premiums or deny coverage, and selling the data to other insurers. Allstate said its data collection fully complies with all laws and regulations. At least eight similar private lawsuits against Allstate have been subsequently filed. The case is Kolotinsky v Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-00931.
