UNITED STATES – In a groundbreaking decision handed down on January 25, 2019, the Illinois Supreme Court unanimously held that private entities cannot collect biometric data from consumers without their consent, pursuant to the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14/1 et seq.) (“BIPA”). Crucially, the Court held that individuals have standing to bring a claim under BIPA even without a showing of actual harm. Plaintiff Stacy Rosenbach filed suit against Six Flags amusement…

UNITED STATES – Companies that operate in Illinois should take notice of the flurry of litigation that has arisen under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”), 740 ILCS 14/1, et seq.  The State of Illinois promulgated the BIPA in 2008 amid the public’s growing concerns relating to companies’ collection of biometric data for business and security purposes.  The General Assembly cited “finger-scan technologies at grocery stores, gas stations, and school cafeterias” as an example of the biometric data that it intended to regulate.  740 ILCS 14/5(b).  Under the BIPA, among other requirements, a company must inform the person whose biometric data is being collected that it is collecting their data and specific details relating to its data collection and preservation.  740 ILCS 14/15(b).  Companies must also receive a “written release” from the person before collecting any biometric data.  Id.

Significantly, the BIPA provides a private right of action for any person aggrieved by a BIPA violation, and allows a claimant to recover liquidated damages of $1,000 for each negligent violation, and $5,000 for each intentional or reckless violation (or actual damages, whichever is greater).  740 ILCS 14/20.  The BIPA also expressly provides that the prevailing party in a BIPA action may recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.  Id.

UNITED STATES – The United States Supreme Court recently granted certiorari in Campbell-Ewald v. Gomez, and one of the questions certified on appeal, if decided, will resolve a circuit split on the question of whether a defendant’s early settlement offer of complete relief moots a representative plaintiff’s individual claim by destroying standing to sue. The Court is also set to address the related issue of whether a settlement offer of complete relief before class certification…

UNITED STATES – A telemarketing campaign can be an effective means to reach out to a large number of potential or existing customers quickly, efficiently, and in a cost-effective manner. However, not strictly following federal guidelines can quickly turn such a campaign into a huge legal liability that can cost a company a significant amount of time and resources. And with newer, stricter guidelines in force, it is important to once again make certain that…

By reversing a previously approved class action settlement, the Seventh Circuit’s holding in the recent case of Eubank v. Pella Corp., 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 10332 (7th Cir. Ill. June 2, 2014) illustrates the potential ethical and practical dangers of negotiating class action settlements with overly self interested class counsel. Calling the settlement “inequitable—even scandalous,” (Id. at 9) Judge Richard Posner roundly criticized the purported $90 million settlement agreed to by Pella, a window manufacturer,…