CSC News Table of Contents
Spyware for Data Profits Class-Action Lawsuit: A prominent trial lawyer, known for a multi-million dollar victory against Monsanto, has filed a class-action lawsuit accusing H&R Block of collaborating with Meta and Google to implant “spyware” on its website, enabling the unauthorized monetization of scraped tax return data.
Key Takeaways Spyware for Data Profits Class-Action Lawsuit:
- Alleged Data Privacy Breach: The lawsuit claims that H&R Block, in partnership with Meta and Google, surreptitiously shared user data for financial gain, without adequately informing customers. This alleged breach is regarded as a pattern of racketeering on a large scale.
- Novel RICO Suit: The lawsuit employs the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), typically used against organized crime, marking the first class-action RICO suit in the H&R Block case.
- Data Misuse Accusations: H&R Block, Meta, and Google are accused of failing to protect consumer data, engaging in deceptive practices, and potentially violating privacy laws by sharing sensitive information.
Allegations of Data Monetization Through “Spyware”
In a lawsuit filed in a California federal court, R. Brent Wisner, a Los Angeles-based trial lawyer, contends that H&R Block, Meta, and Google orchestrated a clandestine operation involving the sharing of user data, which was then exploited for financial gain.
Unprecedented RICO Lawsuit
This class-action suit invokes the RICO Act, an unusual move considering its typical association with organized crime. It signifies the gravity of the alleged misconduct by these corporations.
Accusations of Deception and Data Exploitation
The lawsuit argues that these tax preparation and technology giants not only neglected to inform users about data sharing but also engaged in deliberate deception to benefit financially, possibly violating various laws in the process.
Congressional Report Reveals Tracking Pixels
A congressional report from July disclosed that Meta and Google collaborated with H&R Block to insert tracking pixels on the tax preparation company’s website. These pixels discreetly collected visitor information, raising serious data privacy concerns.
Unintended Data Disclosure
The lawsuit highlights the potential misuse of user data, emphasizing that sensitive financial information may have been shared without adequate safeguards, despite claims of anonymization.
Corporations’ Response and FTC Warning
H&R Block, Meta, and Google have yet to respond to the allegations. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently cautioned H&R Block and other tax preparation firms about the need to obtain user consent for data use in advertising.
Conclusion
This lawsuit underscores the growing importance of data privacy and the potential consequences for corporations that mishandle user information. The case will likely shed light on the complex issues surrounding data protection in the digital age.
About R. Brent Wisner and Wisner Baum: R. Brent Wisner, managing partner of Wisner Baum, is renowned for his legal accomplishments, including a significant victory against Monsanto. Wisner Baum is a prominent legal firm known for its expertise in major litigation cases.
