Time: 2024-07-20
Oracle has agreed to pay 15 million to settle a lawsuit that accused the company of invading people 's privacy by collecting personal information and selling it to third parties . The proposed class action settlement , filed in San Francisco federal court , awaits a judge 's approval . The plaintiffs alleged that Oracle violated privacy laws by creating unauthorized " digital dossiers " for millions of individuals , containing data on their online browsing habits , financial transactions , and more.
The settlement covers individuals whose personal information Oracle collected or sold since August 19 , 2018 . As part of the agreement , Oracle , based in Austin , Texas , has agreed not to gather user - generated data from URLs of visited websites or information entered on forms outside of its own websites . The lawsuit was brought forth by named plaintiffs , including privacy activist Michael Katz - Lacabe and Jennifer Golbeck , a social media and privacy expert from the University of Maryland.
Oracle has denied any wrongdoing in this case . The company was accused of selling personal information to marketers through products like ID Graph , which aims to personalize marketing experiences for individuals . The plaintiffs argued that Oracle 's actions violated federal and state privacy laws , as well as California 's constitution . The settlement amount includes provisions for legal fees , with the plaintiffs ' representation potentially seeking up to 8.75 million from the settlement.
Oracle did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the announcement of the settlement . This case sheds light on the importance of protecting personal data in the era of Cloud computing and widespread digital information sharing . With the increasing focus on privacy rights and data protection , companies like Oracle must ensure compliance with laws and regulations to avoid similar legal challenges in the future.
In conclusion , the 15 million settlement reached by Oracle underscores the significance of safeguarding individuals ' privacy in the digital age . The outcome of this lawsuit sets a precedent for companies operating in the cloud computing industry , emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in handling personal information . As technology continues to advance , privacy concerns will remain a critical issue for both businesses and consumers alike.