Apple Defeats Privacy Law Claims in California Data Tracking Suit
Apple won a dismissal of some claims in a lawsuit alleging data tracking despite privacy assurances, but the case continues.Summary
Apple has successfully defended against portions of a class action lawsuit in California alleging that the company secretly records user mobile activity despite its stated commitment to privacy. The lawsuit, filed in November 2022, claimed Apple’s assurances regarding user control over data sharing within its apps like the App Store and Apple Music were “utterly false.” Plaintiffs argued that options to disable data sharing and tracking requests were ineffective. Judge Edward J. Davila granted Apple’s motion to dismiss claims related to violations of California’s Invasion of Privacy Act and other state laws, though he allowed the plaintiffs one final opportunity to amend their complaint.
However, the ruling was not a complete victory for Apple. Several claims related to the “Share Device Analytics” setting – including breach of contract and violations of consumer protection laws in other states – remain active, as the judge found plaintiffs adequately argued they withdrew consent by disabling this setting.
The case highlights the ongoing scrutiny of data privacy practices by tech companies and the complexities of navigating privacy regulations. Apple is also planning new product releases this year, including updated AirPods Pro and potentially a foldable iPhone.
(Source：MacRumors)