Facebook could have to pay 'billions' in damages in class action lawsuit over facial recognition
Trending News
Reuters/Leah Millis Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook could have to pay billions of dollars in damages in a class action lawsuit over facial recognition, according to various reports.
Facebook/Business Insider Facebook's tag suggestions feature.
Donato's decision to classify the suit as a class action means Facebook could be sued by millions of users in the state. In his order, Donato wrote: "Facebook seems to believe ... statutory damages could amount to billions of dollars."
The suit wants damages of up to $5,000 (£3,482) for every time a person's image was used without their permission. If the suit is successful, every person in the class-action could receive a payout.Facebook said the case had no merit. "We continue to believe the case has no merit and will defend ourselves vigorously," the company said in a statement, cited by Reuters.The facial recognition feature isn't currently available in the UK. Facebook switched the feature off in Europe in 2012 after an audit by Ireland's data watchdog.
The company is now trying to roll out facial recognition technology inside the EU again, according to the Irish Times, but on an opt-in basis.
Copyright © 2021. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.
Next