Lawsuit over web tracking activity resolved by Truist

In a significant development, John Tasker, a California resident, filed a lawsuit against Truist on May 28, 2021, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The lawsuit alleges that Truist's use of pixel trackers on its website violates the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

According to the lawsuit, Truist embedded trackers onto its website that covertly collected user data without meaningful consent. The trackers, provided by companies like Google and Meta, collect information such as internet protocol addresses, click paths, and session time stamps. This data is then shared with third-party advertising platforms, raising concerns about privacy and control over personal information.

Tasker did not expect his behavioral data to be disclosed or monetized while on Truist's website. He claims that when users' data is collected without proper consent and monetized, they lose control over who can access, use, or distribute their personal information.

The lawsuit alleges that Truist's use of pixel trackers constitutes unauthorized wiretapping and eavesdropping on private communications, as per the California Invasion of Privacy Act. The use of pixel trackers results in pervasive surveillance, where users are continuously tracked across multiple websites, applications, and devices, often without their knowledge or ability to opt out.

This incident highlights potential privacy concerns associated with the use of pixel trackers in the banking industry. The lawsuit is one example of the ongoing debate about fintech disruption in the banking industry, with various schools of thought on how to disrupt the space.

Last week, Truist settled a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the bank embedded trackers into its website that covertly collected and sold user data to third-party advertising platforms. No details of the settlement were available on the case docket regarding the Truist lawsuit. A spokesperson for Truist did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the lawsuit.

A separate lawsuit, filed by Tasker against BMO on the same day as the Truist suit, remains active. The BMO spokesperson and Tasker's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit against BMO.

It's essential to note that the text did not provide any new information about Regulations & Policy or Technology regarding this matter. The article will be updated as more information becomes available.