Uproxx, LLC. offers entertainment and popular culture news to a broad base of users through its website, “uproxx.com”. The company took advantage of the many people that visit its website when it implemented Facebook Pixel on “uproxx.com”, which gathered user information and funneled it to Facebook without user consent.
Facebook Pixel is a user-tracking software that companies can implement on websites for free to deliver more accurate targeted advertising. The software identifies users who have a Facebook profile and uses this information to link their activity directly to their Facebook accounts. In the case of “uproxx.com”, users were asked to sign in when watching video content.
Many users selected the option to sign in using their Facebook accounts, which opened the door to Facebook Pixel’s tracking. This generated highly precise tracking information for Uproxx both to optimize future suggestions for users and to more efficiently monetize the website. In sending this information to Facebook, however, the company violated federal privacy laws.
Federal law specifies that video providers may not disclose personally identifiable information of customers. While many consumers may have grown accustomed to targeted advertising that appears similar to Uproxx’s approach, the reality is that Uproxx violated the law and those whose rights they disregarded deserve compensation.
While it may seem inconsequential, it is crucial that personally identifiable information be protected in an era where an increasing number of companies fly in the face of these protections with concern only for their bottom lines. Our consumer class action lawsuit lawyers are dedicated to securing compensation for users of “uproxx.com”. Our team brings over 300 years of combined experience holding companies accountable for privacy violations – if you have suffered similar violations, contact our team of Upraxx class action lawyers today.
What Is the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)?
This Video Privacy Protection Act was passed in the 1980s to protect those purchasing videotapes. Its application has grown, however, to provide essential protection for consumers watching videos in digital formats online. The act dictates:
- Consumers Maintain Control. Under VPPA, consumers have a right to control the data that they divulge as part of the exchange of goods with the videotape provider in question.
- Video Tape Provider Penalties. There is a penalty of $2,500 per offense laid out in the bill.
- User Permission. In 2013, an amendment to the bill was passed which loosened restrictions on video rental companies but clarified that any disclosures must be accompanied by user consent.
Uproxx,LLC did not obtain user consent to give Facebook near-complete access to their data. This violation of privacy law has left consumers vulnerable to increased advertising and potential data leaks, which Facebook suffers regularly. Our Upraxx class action lawyers believe that there must be accountability in cases like these. If you have suffered a similar breach of your rights, contact our consumer class action attorneys today.
What Is Facebook Pixel?
Facebook Pixel is a data tracking tool that is free to use for companies. As is often the case with free-to-use software, Facebook is compensated for providing this data with access to user information. Facebook has a long track record of extensive data privacy violations, and Facebook Pixel has led to numerous lawsuits of similar concern.
The service creates extensive records of user activity for companies, allowing them to understand exactly which of its advertisements are working and which users would be likely to respond to which advertisements. This system has generated enormous profits for some companies, incentivizing other companies to use it despite potential privacy concerns.
Our Upraxx class action lawyers believe in fighting for the day-to-day consumers whose data we believe is not for sale. Contact us today to learn more about seeking justice following this kind of data privacy violation.
What Is a Class Action Lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is commonly the best legal approach to cases in which our clients have suffered harm to their rights to privacy. A class is a group, created by a judge, that pursues a lawsuit together.
All members of a class share the same damages from the same cause – in this case, privacy violations due to Uproxx’s illegal use of Facebook Pixel – and are therefore able to most efficiently pursue justice as a group. Our consumer class action attorneys are proud to have brought justice to numerous deserving clients through class action lawsuits.
If you have suffered harm that you think might have been suffered by others as well, contact our consumer class action attorneys today to see if you have a case. We want to help you take the first step toward obtaining the compensation you deserve.
