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I wonder what people want out of these kind of lawsuits. If you can clearly identify exactly how much data is consumed, and you have a service plan that tells
by mattlondon 6y ago
I wonder what people want out of these kind of lawsuits.
If you can clearly identify exactly how much data is consumed, and you have a service plan that tells you exactly how much that data cost to use then the damages are precisely computable. So a judge can turn around and just award these people $4.72 in damages or whatever and case closed?
What is the angle here, or is it just another "google-is-evil-but-i-still-want-to-use-their-services-for-free" thing?
- asutekku 6y agoIt's that the device should not use user's data at all when it's not in use, considering google does not pay for it.
- refulgentis 6y agoAre there consumer computers that don't use the user's data at all when they're not in use?
- asutekku 6y agoThe least they can do is to not load ads on the background. Sure, almost every device does some basic telemetry but showing ads is not something a device does need to function.
- PersonalOps 6y agoTelemetry is not something the device needs to function either. It's a "value add" in the best possible light, security breach in the worst.
- asutekku 6y agoTelemetry at least is useful for the developers to see how people use their software/devices/whatever.
- dayjobpork 6y agoWhy should a user pay for something that is useful for a multi billion dollar multinational ad company?
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- skizm 6y agoLawyers just bring up class action lawsuits to skim money off the payout. The individual payouts are usually so small barely anyone goes through the hassle of claiming them. The one positive is, at least it’s a small slap on the wrist for bad corporate behavior, but I doubt any company actually will change their behavior because of it.
- wegs 6y agoNo, companies do change behavior. The public interest argument is: 1) Companies can make a lot of money skimming $1 each off of 100 million people. 2) Federal enforcement agencies don't have time or energy for that. We can outsource that to private firms 3) Private law firms can file class action suits, and companies are forced into agreements where they pay damages AND often need to change behavior It kinda sorta works too, in that companies stop doing the bad things. Lawyers collect the lion's share of the money, but few consumers care about a $1 payout. Judges approve deals to make sure they're equitable to the class. It sorta doesn't work, since settlements are negotiated by lawyers who don't really care about anything other than getting paid. Few actually care about the class they're representing. Judges are former lawyers, and part of the corrupt culture. So in many cases, the changes in behavior are less than one might hope for.
- WarOnPrivacy 6y agoThat's a pretty good synopsis.
- lostdog 6y agoBut the payout to consumers should never be in coupons or discounts. Always cash. (Or conversely, the payout to the lawyers should be the same form as the payout to consumers. Good luck spending $100 million Wells Fargo Free Checking Account buckz).