Latest news with #Kolotinsky
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.
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
Reuters
29-01-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Lawsuit accuses Amazon of secretly tracking consumers through cellphones
Jan 29 (Reuters) - (AMZN.O), opens new tab 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. 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), opens new tab 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.
