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The settlement was reached after a court did not find in favor of either the company or the plaintiffs, meaning the social media platform did not admit fault. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are among the companies that have also been accused of violations. If anyone is an Illinois resident and a Snapchat user, they may be entitled to a slice of a multi-million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the social media platform’s parent company. The lawsuit, filed in May, is similar to another recent class-action lawsuit specific to Illinois Facebook users.
Illinois’ Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA) prohibits private sector companies and institutions from collecting biometric data from unsuspecting citizens in the state or online, no matter where the business is based. The feature obtained the plaintiffs’ biometric information without obtaining informed written consent each time it scanned their faces, the suit alleges.
If a company is found to have violated Illinois law, citizens can collect civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation compounded by the number of people affected and days involved. The class consists of Illinois residents who used the “Lenses” and “Filters” Snapchat features from Nov. 17, 2015, to the present. However, the platform may violate the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. BIPA requires companies to take certain steps to guard biometric data, A final approval hearing will be held on Nov. 17, 2022.
Written by Miracle Harris
Sources
5chicago: Yes, The Illinois Snapchat Lawsuit is Real. Here’s What to Know About the Settlement in the Case
Wandtv: Snapchat Reaches Settlement in Illinois Lawsuit: Here’s What to Know
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