Google Privacy Case Moves Forward

On July 21, 2014, Judge Paul Singh Grewal of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California allowed class action claims to move forward against Google concerning its new privacy policy, which went into effect on March 1, 2012. The lawsuit alleges that the new privacy policy allows Google to commingle user data across its various products without consumers’ consent.

In his opinion, Judge Grewal likened Plaintiffs’ complaint to “Rocky rising from Apollo’s uppercut in the 14th round,” and noted that the complaint ran “through the gauntlet” yet “manages to stand.” Ultimately, Judge Grewal allowed Plaintiffs to move forward with their claims for breach of contract and for violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law.

“We are pleased that Judge Grewal allowed the case to move forward,” said L. Timothy Fisher, one of the firm’s partners handling the matter.