Amazon Faces Lawsuit Over Secret Phone Tracking
A startling truth has been uncovered about Amazon tracking that affects millions of smartphone users. The tech giant is now facing a class action lawsuit for secretly monitoring and collecting users' location data through their mobile phones without proper consent. This Amazon tracking scandal has raised serious concerns about consumer privacy and the extent of cellphone tracking practices.
Furthermore, our investigation reveals that Amazon gained backdoor access through its Amazon Ads software development kit (SDK), which is embedded in thousands of apps. However, what's particularly concerning is that while we can choose to allow an app to track our location, we cannot opt out of Amazon's tracking system. The company has effectively "fingerprinted" consumers, gathering vast amounts of personal information without their knowledge, leading to serious privacy concerns and potential violations of California Penal Codes.
Legal Battle Details
Felix Kolotinsky of San Mateo, California, filed a proposed Amazon class action lawsuit against the e-commerce giant in San Francisco federal court. This is just one of many consumer lawsuits targeting tech companies for their data practices. The legal complaint specifically addresses Amazon's alleged unauthorized collection and monetization of sensitive location data from California residents.
The lawsuit accuses Amazon of violating California law and state regulations against unauthorized computer access. According to court documents, Amazon provided tens of thousands of app developers with code known as Amazon Ads SDK, which created backdoor access to users' phones. This SDK integration allowed Amazon to collect timestamped geolocation data revealing sensitive details about consumers' lives, including their religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and health-related information.
The lead plaintiff discovered Amazon collected his personal information through the "Speedtest by Ookla" app on his Amazon phone. Additionally, the legal team representing Kolotinsky asserts that neither the plaintiff nor any class members consented to Amazon's data collection or monetization of data practices.
The case, formally titled Kolotinsky v Amazon.com Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 25-00931, seeks unspecified damages for millions of Californians. Moreover, the plaintiffs have requested:
A trial by jury
An injunction to halt all unlawful conduct
Liquidated damages
Disgorgement of profits
Punitive damages
Attorney's fees
This legal action emerges amid growing concerns over corporate practices involving non-consensual data collection from cell phones Amazon and other tech companies sell.
Privacy Breach Investigation
Recent investigations into Amazon's data handling practices reveal a concerning pattern of privacy violations and security incidents. The company's privacy notice, spanning over 4,400 words, outlines extensive data collection practices aimed at enhancing sales through personalized recommendations.
Personal shopping data collected by Amazon contains highly sensitive information that can reveal individuals' health status, political preferences, and intimate personal details. Notably, the company's data retention policies make it impossible for customers to delete their purchase history, even for decade-old transactions.
The scope of Amazon's privacy issues extends beyond consumer tracking. In 2021, the Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection imposed a 746 million euro fine on Amazon for violating the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation. Subsequently, the company faced multiple internal security challenges, primarily from employee misconduct.
Essentially, Amazon's track record shows recurring vulnerabilities in data protection. In 2018, the company discovered third-party services selling customer information, with one service alone having access to data on 16 million Amazon customers. The situation worsened when investigations revealed that more than half of third-party developers were violating Amazon's terms of service.
The latest smartphone tracking allegations surface amid this history of data security challenges. Internal documents obtained by WIRED confirmed that Amazon employees regularly accessed customer purchase histories without authorization. This practice was so widespread that, in the words of one manager, "Everybody, everybody did it".
These revelations highlight the urgent need for stronger consumer protection measures and stricter enforcement of data privacy regulations. As consumers become more aware of their rights and the value of their personal information, it's crucial for companies like Amazon to prioritize user consent and transparent data practices.