Google Buzz class action suit filed

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There was a lash, then a back lash, and now…a class action law suit. Google Inc. has been named in a class action suit filed in San Jose (CA) federal court alleging that Google broke the law when, via its new social platform Buzz, it disclosed the personal information of Gmail users without consent. The internet has been raging against the Mountain View company due to the way Buzz was rolled out; instead of the more common “opt-in” model, Google pushed Buzz out to all Gmail users making users chose to “opt-out” if they were not interested. The complaint cites the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984 and the suit has the potential to include all Gmail users — over 31 million users at the time of the Buzz release. A Google spokesperson said, “we haven’t yet been served, so we can’t comment on the suit until we’ve had a chance to review it.” We’ll stay on top of this one and report back when new information becomes available.

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59 Responses to “Google Buzz class action suit filed”

  1. 26
    Sally says:

    What wrong with this? I see nothing in a ‘look at me’ society when our kids want EVERYONE to see them, what they do all day long, where they are located!

    LOOK AT ME on Facebook!

    Look at me dammit!

    Please please, I need attention, look at me on my youtube videos… LOOK AT ME!

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  2. 27
    Sherie Rhie says:

    I can see why Buzz tried to infer the social network because it’s just easier to gain traction that way but I think it comes at a real cost. At least with FB, your network has been vetted by you. I don’t think Google gets that. Sometimes algorithms work… sometimes they don’t. Sometimes you need humans to make decisions.
    Reasons to use it: http://is.gd/8I6Ux

    Liked. Thumb up Thumb down +5

  3. 28
    popopo says:

    DONT BE EVIL … lol

    Thumb up Thumb down +4

  4. 29
    DigDug says:

    FYI, “lawsuit” is one word, not two.

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  5. 30
    msatlas says:

    @Webby: disabling Buzz only deletes your *public* Google profile. Private info like payment data that you choose to store with Google is not affected.

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  6. 31
    yelraf says:

    And you know what the outcome of the lawsuit will be? The lawyers will negotiate for more free storage space for gmail users…and $20 million for themselves. Fuck a bunch of lawyers.

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  7. 32
    halcomb116 says:

    Maybe we will all get a share of the millions in the lawsuit…hmmm, I could pay off my debt and buy another Droid phone compliments of Google!!

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  8. 33
    boomKABOOM says:

    About time!
    This is sick, who the hell allowed Google to share my Personal email? And what with the non-tech people like my friends or family? how is a 69 year old woman suppose to understand this stuff?

    Google needs to get it’s kicked and shown where the red line is. I like Google, but this is insanity!

    Thumb up Thumb down +2

  9. 34
    el Hefe Weizen says:

    Now I am convinced the world is going to end in 2012….We, as the general public of the world, have resorted to bite the hand that feeds us.

    Way to go world, Google gives us awesome shit to play with and we slap em’ with a lawsuit.

    Slow clap commencing now…..

    Thumb up Thumb down -1

  10. 35
    yawnAgain says:

    whatever… Buzz is stupid… Some people just dont get it… The very same people who complain about email privacy and warrantless wiretapping are the very same people who use twitter, facebook, myspace, foursquare, and more. IMO the best way to deal with this kind of “Look at me, dont look at me” society is to not participate.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

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