US Privacy Litigation Developments in January 2025: Insights from Husch Blackwell LLP

The Tricky Parts of Privacy Litigation Trends in America

As the world we live in continues to evolve, each passing day brings about a plethora of exciting, yet nerve-racking advancements in the field of technology and data management. One of the most challenging aspects of this interconnectedness is the legal sector's attempts to navigate the murky waters of privacy lawsuits and litigation.

A Closer Look at Lawsuits Traversing the Tensions in Online Privacy

Addresses of Internet Protocol, tracking technologies, consent requirements, multi-party communication, and more are among the tangled issues we currently face. Understanding these evolving dynamics through the lens of real cases can bring you some clarity. This piece will help you dig into the five key takeaways from privacy litigation trends that marked January 2025.

Subtle Details from Wiretapping Lawsuits

Firstly, we notice that the judgments of two different court cases suggested websites might get away with ad-tech use in situations of constructive consent, even if their users are not explicitly consenting. However, the defendants failed to sufficiently provide that crucial evidence. These rulings hint that a website’s privacy policy wrappings may not be full of problems in the future, as these legal battles continue.

Litigating Third-Party Participation in Wiretapping

Secondly, rulings around the third party’s entitlement to the “party exception” in a wiretapping claim reveal some small distinctions. Courts have offered contrasting judgments on how third-party statements should influence their status in a wiretapping claim. As these lawsuits continue, the enigma surrounding the rights and responsibilities of third parties deepens.

The Nerve-Racking Progress of Tap & Trace Claims

Thirdly, we have observed an upward trend in Pen Registry or Tap & Trace claims surviving motions to dismiss, which is remarkable since such claims are nothing short of intimidating for defendants. This trend is notable with an increased number of these claims surfacing in the courts of California.

The Expanding Scope of VPPA

Fourthly, we've witnessed courts backing a broader interpretation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) in light of a recent decision. Setting the stage for future cases, this redefinition aptly illustrates how laws from previous generations continue to adapt and persist in this digital age.

Surveillance Pixel Cases and Their Downfall

Finally, disappointments have sprung forth in the legal world’s attempt to establish a firm standing against spy pixel cases. Echoing the struggles of the invasion of privacy claims and wiretapping lawsuits, spy pixel cases seem to have fallen flat on their faces, unable to get off the ground in ensuring user privacy.

Building Some Context: Current Privacy Litigation Trends

With an understanding of recent rulings under our belt, it’s critical to recognize the range of legal battles that are simmering in the courts. Numerous lawsuits maintain under different laws and slightly different angles on similar issues, particularly in the states of California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.

Finding Your Path Through Chat Wiretapping Lawsuits

There has been a rise in popularity of chat wiretapping lawsuits since mid-summer of 2022. These cases typically claim that a third-party service provider, often employed to operate chat functionality on site, intercepts communications between the website and its visitor without consent, thereby violating wiretapping laws.

Swimming Through the Nitty-Gritty of Session Replay Lawsuits

Lawsuits involving session replay technology that capture user interactions with a website for analysis follow the same thread. Privacy plaintiffs claim that this technology's usage violates wiretapping laws, especially when it captures communications made on the website. The future of such technology now hangs in the balance as these lawsuits evolve.

Step-by-Step Through VPPA Claims

The Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) claims center on a law nearly four decades old that forbids the publicizing of a subscriber's video view history. With the rise of ad-targeting cookies on video content websites, these lawsuits have gained prominence and will likely determine the future scope of the VPPA’s application.

Conclusion

In essence, the emerging patterns of privacy litigation showcase the interplay of laws enacted in different eras with our rapidly evolving digital environment. How these battles will shape forthcoming internet privacy laws and the scope of our digital footprint remains to be seen. Regardless, staying updated with these trends is an essential first step to managing your way through this tangled subject.

Originally Post From https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/u-s-privacy-litigation-update-january-5218524/

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