Meta Beats California Class Action Over Third-Party Location Data Tracking
America ı By Ahmed Boughalleb
0 Comments
A California federal judge has dismissed a proposed class action accusing Meta Platforms Inc. of unlawfully collecting location data from users of third-party mobile apps, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to plausibly show the company knew it lacked user permission.
In an order issued Monday, U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin granted Meta’s motion to dismiss claims brought by Lisa Tsering and Dominique Davis, who alleged that Meta violated California computer-access and privacy laws by receiving geolocation data through tracking software embedded in third-party apps.
The plaintiffs argued that after downloading apps including Solitaire and Nextdoor, they never consented to Meta accessing their location data. They claimed neither Meta nor the app developers adequately disclosed that Meta’s software development kits, or SDKs, would collect and monetize that information for targeted advertising.
Judge Lin found that the alleged scope and sensitivity of the data collection were sufficient to establish standing. However, she concluded that the complaint failed to meet a key legal requirement under the California Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, which prohibits companies from knowingly and without permission accessing data.
“The statute requires awareness not only of accessing data, but of doing so without permission,” Judge Lin wrote, finding that the plaintiffs did not plausibly allege Meta knew the app developers lacked valid user consent.
While the court rejected Meta’s argument that responsibility rested solely with the app developers who installed the SDKs, it held that the complaint did not show Meta had actual knowledge that users had not authorized the data sharing. Allegations that some developers were unaware of the full scope of Meta’s data practices were not enough, the judge said.
Judge Lin noted that the privacy policies for both Solitaire and Nextdoor disclosed that geolocation data could be shared with third-party advertising partners. Although those disclosures did not resolve whether the plaintiffs personally consented, the court said they undermined the claim that Meta must have known consent was impossible to obtain.
The court also dismissed claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act, rejecting the plaintiffs’ argument that Meta’s SDK functioned as an illegal “pen register.” Judge Lin ruled that the complaint failed to show the collected data qualified as dialing, routing, or signaling information rather than the content of communications.
An invasion-of-privacy claim was likewise dismissed, with the court finding that routine commercial data sharing, without more, does not amount to a highly offensive intrusion. The judge emphasized that the plaintiffs again failed to plausibly allege Meta knowingly acted without consent.
Judge Lin dismissed the claims with leave to amend, giving the plaintiffs until Feb. 9 to file a third amended complaint addressing the identified deficiencies. If no amendment is filed, the case will be closed with prejudice.
Counsel for the parties did not respond to requests for comment.
The plaintiffs are represented by Philip L. Fraietta, Andrew Obergfell, and Julian C. Diamond of Bursor and Fisher PA. Meta is represented by Melanie M. Blunschi, Kristin Sheffield-Whitehead, Dianne Kim, and Margaret A. Upshaw of Latham and Watkins LLP.
The case is Tsering v. Meta Platforms Inc., No. 3:25-cv-01611, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to join the discussion!
FOLLOW US
Recent Posts
Olympic Cyclist Arrested for Simply Touching the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting…
Pizza Hut to Be Sold in $2.7 Billion Deal by…
Tesla in Self-Driving Mode Allegedly Crashes Into Texas Home at…
Ubisoft Co-Founder Claude Guillemot Dies at 69 in Tragic Plane…
Chicago Drive-By Shooting Leaves 12 Hit on Juneteenth Night —…
Three hikers die of heat-related illness during rising temperatures at…
Luxury Caribbean Resort Engulfed in Massive Fire — 1 Tourist…
Don’t Miss It
Federal Judge Orders Release of Joe Biden’s Private Audio Tapes — Heritage Foundation Scores Major Win in Explosive Transparency Battle
By – Rihem AkkoucheJane Street Emerges from the Shadows as AI Becomes the Next Battleground on Wall Street
By – Jackie AllenAnne Hathaway, 43, Stuns Fans with Surprise Pregnancy Announcement — ‘Baby, I’m Yours’ Video Melts Hearts
By – Rihem AkkoucheBanning Secret Hospital “No-Compete” Clauses Could Slash Insurance Premiums by Billions and Finally Break Big Hospital Monopolies
By – Rihem Akkouche10 People Injured in Terrifying Hot Air Balloon Crash in Nevada Desert — One in Critical Condition After Fiery Impact
By – Rihem AkkouchePeace Agreement Between US and Iran Outlines Path Toward Regional Ceasefire and Nuclear Talks
By – Jackie AllenGrammy-Nominated Hitmaker Tay Keith, Producer for Drake, Travis Scott and Beyoncé, Found Dead at Just 29 in Nashville Apartment
By – Rihem AkkoucheHollywood Icon’s Daughter and Husband Found Dead in Parked Car on California Highway — Extreme Heat Suspected in Tragic End
By – Rihem Akkouche
Kelly Warner Law Firm Blames USA…
In what appears as a desperate attempt to defend multiple…
By – USA Herald
Aaron Kelly Law Firm Resorts To…
Attorney Aaron Kelly and his law partner Daniel Warner are…
By – Jeff Watterson
Arizona Bar Opens Investigation on Attorney…
USA Herald recently reported on a developing story involving Attorneys…
By – Paul O'Neal
The Billionaire Tax Compromise That Could…
A high-stakes gamble is unfolding in the corridors of California…
By – Tyler Brooks
Vance Breaks Ranks: US Vice President…
In a striking shift in the geopolitical landscape, United States…
By – Tyler Brooks
Where Did All The Oil Go?…
The Strait of Hormuz is finally open for business again.…
By – Tyler Brooks
The AI Capital Expenditures Supercycle Has…
For months, Wall Street has been locked in a heated…
By – Tyler Brooks
How to Claim Your Federal Student…
The landscape of federal student loans is shifting as the…
By – Tyler Brooks
How AI Has Solidified America as…
For years, the global discourse has been dominated by the…
By – Tyler Brooks
How AI Has Solidified America as…
For years, the global discourse has been dominated by the…
By – Tyler Brooks
Mexico vs South Korea 2026 World…
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup shifts into Matchday 2,…
By – Rachel Moore
Tragic Death of ‘Lilo & Stitch’…
Daveigh Chase, the beloved child actress who voiced Lilo in…
By – Rachel Moore
Gas Prices Finally Drop Below $4…
American drivers are finally catching a break at the pump,…
By – Rihem Akkouche
Scottie Scheffler Chases Elusive Career Grand…
The U.S. Open returns to one of the toughest tests…
By – Rihem Akkouche
Avi Loeb’s New UAP Council Raises…
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS REPORT Avi Loeb has been selected to…
By – Samuel Lopez
Mike Myers Confirms Austin Powers 4…
After years of rumors and speculation it’s official, the spy…
By – Cwamne Howard
Internet’s First Serial Killer Used Early…
The story of Serial Killer John Edward Robinson remains one…
By – Jackie Allen
The 9-Second Disaster: The Edge of…
The tech industry is learning that AI autonomy can be…
By – Jackie Allen
Southern Poverty Law Center Indictments Linked…
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), one of the nation’s…
By – Jackie Allen
Anna Kepner Killing: Federal Judge Orders…
The legal proceedings surrounding the cruise ship murder of Anna…
By – Jackie Allen
Russia Shadow Fleet Captain Faces UK…
The captain of a Russian Shadow Fleet tanker intercepted by…
By – Jackie Allen
Russia Shadow Fleet Captain Faces UK…
The captain of a Russian Shadow Fleet tanker intercepted by…
By – Jackie Allen
Body Found Floating in Queens Park…
A Body Found Floating in a pond at a quiet…
By – Jackie Allen
ZCash Security Scare Raises Questions About…
ZCash has found itself at the center of a major…
By – Jackie Allen
Oliver Tree Dies at 32 in…
Oliver Tree, the genre-blending singer, songwriter, and internet personality was…
By – Jackie Allen
New York Chaos Erupts After Knicks…
New York Chaos unfolded across the city after the New…
By – Jackie Allen
New York Knicks End 53-Year Championship…
The New York Knicks have finally climbed back to the…
By – Jackie Allen
Avi Loeb’s New UAP Council Raises…
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS REPORT Avi Loeb has been selected to…
By – Samuel Lopez
The End of PACER Paywalls? Bipartisan…
WHAT’S INSIDE THIS REPORT Senators John Kennedy and Ron Wyden…
By – Samuel LopezWHAT’S INSIDE THIS REPORT Tyra Banks alleges Netflix deceptively edited…
By – Samuel Lopez
Inferno in Boyle Heights: Massive Warehouse…
A massive fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at a…
By – Tyler Brooks
Media Titans Unite: China Approves $110…
In a monumental development for the global entertainment landscape, Chinese…
By – Tyler Brooks
Florida’s New “Gang Member” Law: Are…
The legal landscape in Florida is undergoing a significant transformation…
By – Tyler Brooks
Nichelle Nichols’ Final Mission Ends in…
By Samuel López | USA Herald The woman who helped…
By – Samuel Lopez
Cannabis Giants Hit with Sweeping Class…
A major class action filed May 4, 2026, accuses five…
By – Samuel Lopez
New Pill Doubles Survival for Pancreatic…
Pancreatic cancer pill doubles life to 13 months By Tyler…
By – Tyler Brooks
FDA warns public as cookie firm…
FDA warns public as cookie firm rejects urgent recall request…
By – Tyler Brooks
Trump orders CDC to slash childhood…
Trump orders CDC to slash childhood vaccines from 17 to…
By – Tyler Brooks
USDA warns Americans over Salmonella in…
USDA warns Americans over Salmonella in meat products By Tylor…
By – Tyler Brooks
Extraterrestrial Kickoff? Viral Psychic Warns of…
Football fans around the globe are currently deep in the…
By – Tyler Brooks
Dana White Declares The Historic UFC…
WASHINGTON D.C. — It was 3:00 a.m. on Monday, and…
By – Tyler Brooks
Pulisic Is Not Training. What Happens…
Mauricio Pochettino pulled Christian Pulisic at halftime of the USMNT’s…
By – Nicolas Carreno
New York Knicks End 53-Year Championship…
The New York Knicks have finally climbed back to the…
By – Jackie Allen
Mexico vs South Africa World Cup…
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, but the…
By – Rihem Akkouche
FIFA World Cup 2026: Gianni Infantino…
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has transformed…
By – Tyler BrooksNo posts found.
No posts found.
