FB pixel

Illinois Supreme Court rules against Six Flags in landmark biometric privacy case

Illinois Supreme Court rules against Six Flags in landmark biometric privacy case
 

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled against Six Flags in a landmark Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) case which could result in hundreds of companies paying thousands of dollars in damages for failing to properly notify and obtain consent from people about the collection of their biometrics.

The decision (PDF) reverses the decision of the appellate court that the violations alleged are merely “technical” in nature, and do not constitute harm under the statute.

Early indications were that at least three of the court’s seven justices were sceptical of Six Flags’ argument, also used in many of the approximately 100 class actions brought under the statute alleging procedural violations, that the plaintiff does not qualify as “aggrieved.”

The court noted that the procedural protections are crucial, as biometric identifiers cannot be changed if compromised, and also that the private right of action is the only enforcement mechanism available. The ruling also notes that the cost of compliance with BIPA is likely to be insignificant compared to the potential harm caused a breach or misuse of biometric data.

“When a private entity fails to comply with one of section 15’s requirements, that violation constitutes an invasion, impairment, or denial of the statutory rights of any person or customer whose biometric identifier or biometric information is subject to the breach,” the justices wrote in the ruling.

“The violation, in itself, is sufficient to support the individual’s or customer’s statutory cause of action.”

Several amicus briefs have been filed in the Six Flags suit and related actions, and positive reaction from rights groups was not surprisingly swift.

“The decision is a victory for consumers across Illinois over Facebook and other tech giants, who argue in courts that consumers do not face “harm” from privacy violations and have pushed legislation in recent years to undermine the Illinois law,” the Illinois Public Interest Research Group said in a statement reported by Capitol Fax. “Consumer and privacy advocates such as Illinois PIRG Education Fund continue to defend BIPA in the courts and in the Illinois General Assembly. Illinois PIRG Education Fund’s national staff is fighting Congressional efforts by Facebook and others to enact a national law that would permanently preempt any existing or prevent any future state actions on data protection.”

The ruling could also be bad news for Facebook, which is involved in its own BIPA suit.

Article Topics

 |   |   |   |   |   | 

Latest Biometrics News

 

Procurement audit finds fault with Australian Passport Office

A recent performance audit by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has uncovered procurement issues within the Department of Foreign…

 

Idemia NSS wins DOJ biometric service contract

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Offices Boards and Division’s Justice Management Division has awarded Idemia National Security Solutions (NSS)…

 

LSEG Risk Intelligence’s new biometric, ID verification tools hit the market

LSEG Risk Intelligence has launched two new products that utilizes AI to verify identities, with the aim of strengthening anti-fraud…

 

Canadian policy makers spar over age verification bills S-210, C-412

The question of effective age verification in Canada increasingly has ramifications beyond the beaver. There is ongoing debate on whether…

 

Lobby groups sue to block Florida’s age verification requirements for social media

NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) are suing the state of Florida to prevent social media companies…

 

World strengthens chain link with LBank Exchange listing, multiple integrations

Fresh off its rebrand, World (ex-Worldcoin) has announced its upcoming listing on LBank Exchange, a premier global digital asset trading…

Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most Read This Week

Featured Company

Biometrics Insight, Opinion

Digital ID In-Depth

Biometrics White Papers

Biometrics Events