Apple Faces $32.5B Lawsuit Over iPhone Photos Facial Recognition
Apple is facing a class action lawsuit that could result in up to $32.5 billion in damages due to the facial recognition feature in its iPhone Photos app. The lawsuit claims violations of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), as the app creates unique 'faceprints' for individuals. Initiated in March 2020 by approximately 10 Apple users, the case gained momentum when an Illinois judge allowed it to proceed. Recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dismissed Apple's appeal. Up to 6.5 million Illinois residents may be entitled to $5,000 each in damages.
Key facts
- Apple faces a class action lawsuit seeking up to $32.5 billion over iPhone Photos app's facial recognition feature.
- The lawsuit alleges violation of Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA).
- The Photos app creates unique 'faceprints' for individuals detected in photos.
- The case began in March 2020 with about 10 Apple users filing a proposed class action.
- An Illinois judge ruled in June that the plaintiffs could proceed as a class action.
- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit rejected Apple's appeal on Thursday.
- Up to 6.5 million Illinois residents could be eligible for up to $5,000 each in damages.
- Meta previously settled for $650 million over Facebook's facial recognition and $68.5 million over Instagram's biometric data collection.
Entities
Institutions
- Apple
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Meta
- The Times of London
- 9to5Mac
Locations
- Illinois
- United States