Meta Beats California Class Action Over Third-Party Location Data Tracking - USA Herald

A California federal judge dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. alleging unlawful collection of location data from users through third-party mobile apps. Plaintiffs Lisa Tsering and Dominique Davis claimed Meta violated California privacy laws by receiving geolocation data without user consent via software development kits (SDKs) embedded in apps like Solitaire and Nextdoor. While the court acknowledged the data collection's scope was sufficient to establish standing, it ruled the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate Meta knowingly accessed data without permission, a key requirement under the California Computer Data Access and Fraud Act.

The judge rejected Meta’s argument that app developers were solely responsible but found the complaint lacked evidence showing Meta had actual knowledge users hadn’t authorized data sharing. The court also dismissed claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act, stating the collected data didn't qualify as illegal “pen register” information and that routine data sharing isn’t a highly offensive intrusion. Importantly, the privacy policies of the apps in question disclosed potential data sharing with third-party advertising partners, which undermined the claim that Meta must have known consent was impossible.

Judge Lin dismissed the claims with leave to amend, giving the plaintiffs until February 9th to file a third amended complaint addressing the identified deficiencies. If no amendment is filed, the case will be closed. Counsel for both parties did not respond to requests for comment.

(Source：USA Herald)