throbber
Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 1 of 33 PageID #:1
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
`EASTERN DIVISION
`
`Case No. 1:22-cv-02480
`
`ADRIAN COSS and MARIBEL OCAMPO,
`individually and on
`behalf of all others similarly situated,
`
`v.
`
`SNAP INC.,
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`Defendant.
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`
`CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT
`
`NOW COME the Plaintiffs, ADRIAN COSS and MARIBEL OCAMPO, by and
`
`through their counsel, James C. Vlahakis, and state as follows:
`
`I.
`
`Introduction & Summary of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act
`
`1.
`
`Plaintiffs MARIBEL OCAMPO and ADRIAN COSS (hereafter “Plaintiffs”) are
`
`citizens of Illinois and reside in the Northern District of Illinois.
`
`2.
`
`Plaintiffs allege that Defendant violated Plaintiffs’ privacy rights as codified
`
`by the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, 740 ILCS 14/1, et seq. (“BIPA”).
`
`3.
`
`BIPA was enacted in 2008 for the purpose of addressing a "very serious
`
`need for protections for the citizens of Illinois when it [comes to their] biometric
`
`information." Illinois House Transcript, 2008 Reg. Session No. 276.
`
`4.
`
`BIPA’s express Legislative Findings provide as follows:
`
`(a) The use of biometrics is growing in the business and security
`screening sectors and appears to promise streamlined financial
`transactions and security screenings.
`
`(b) Major national corporations have selected the City of Chicago and
`other locations in this State as pilot testing sites for new applications
`of biometric-facilitated financial transactions, including finger-scan
`technologies at grocery stores, gas stations, and school cafeterias.
`
`(c) Biometrics are unlike other unique identifiers that are used to
`access finances or other sensitive information. For example, social
`security numbers, when compromised, can be changed. Biometrics,
`
`1
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 2 of 33 PageID #:2
`
`however, are biologically unique to the individual; therefore, once
`compromised, the individual has no recourse, is at heightened risk for
`identity theft, and is likely to withdraw from biometric-facilitated
`transactions.
`
`(d) An overwhelming majority of members of the public are weary of the
`use of biometrics when such information is tied to finances and other
`personal information.
`
`law regulating the collection, use,
`limited State
`(e) Despite
`safeguarding, and storage of biometrics, many members of the public
`are deterred
`from partaking
`in biometric
`identifier-facilitated
`transactions.
`
`(f) The full ramifications of biometric technology are not fully known.
`
`(g) The public welfare, security, and safety will be served by regulating
`the collection, use, safeguarding, handling, storage, retention, and
`destruction of biometric identifiers and information.
`
`740 ILCS 14/5.
`
`
`5.
`
`BIPA prohibits private entities from collecting, capturing, purchasing,
`
`receiving through trade, or otherwise obtaining a person's biometric information unless
`
`the private entity: (1) informs that person in writing that identifiers and information will
`
`be collected and/or stored; (2) informs the person in writing of the specific purpose and
`
`length for which the identifiers or information is being collected, stored or used; (3)
`
`receives a written release from the person for the collection of that data; and (4)
`
`publishes publicly available written retention schedules and guidelines for permanently
`
`destroying said data. See 740 ILCS 14/15(a) and (b).
`
`6.
`
`The Illinois Supreme Court has recognized that BIPA was enacted to
`
`preserve an individual’s right to privacy and control over his/her/their biometric data:
`
`Through the Act, our General Assembly has codified that individuals
`possess a right to privacy in and control over their biometric identifiers
`and biometric information. The duties imposed on private entities by
`section 15 of the Act (740 ILCS 14/15 (West 2016)) regarding the
`collection, retention, disclosure, and destruction of a person's or
`customer's biometric identifiers or biometric information define the
`contours of that statutory right. Accordingly, when a private entity fails to
`comply with one of section 15's requirements, that violation constitutes an
`invasion, impairment, or denial of the statutory rights of any person or
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 3 of 33 PageID #:3
`
`customer whose biometric identifier or biometric information is subject to
`the breach.
`
`* * *
`
`The Act vests in individuals and customers the right to control their
`biometric information by requiring notice before collection and giving them
`the power to say no by withholding consent. . . . When a private entity fails
`to adhere to the statutory procedures, as defendants are alleged to have
`done here, "the right of the individual to maintain his or her biometric
`privacy vanishes into thin air. The precise harm the Illinois legislature
`sought to prevent is then realized." This is no mere "technicality." The
`injury is real and significant.
`
`Rosenbach v. Six Flags Ent. Corp., 432 Ill. Dec. 654, 129 N.E.3d 1197, 1206 (Ill. 2019)).
`
`7.
`
`Defendant Snap Inc. (“Defendant” or “Snap”) is a Delaware corporation
`
`with its principal place of business located in Santa Monica, California.
`
`8.
`
`Defendant is a publicly traded company, and is listed on the New York
`
`Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "SNAP."
`
`9.
`
`Defendant is the owner and operator of a “Snapchat”.
`
`10. Defendant has described itself as “a camera company.” See, Defendant’s
`
`Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022, at p. 10.
`
`11.
`
`Snap’s Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2022, is located at
`
`https://investor.snap.com/financials/sec-filings/sec-filings-
`
`details/default.aspx?FilingId=157450811
`
`12. Defendant has described “Snapchat” as its “flagship product. Id.
`
`13.
`
`Snapchat “is a camera application that was created to help people
`
`communicate through short videos and images called ‘Snaps.’” Id.
`
`14.
`
`As detailed below, Snapchat utilizes technology that is subject to BIPA.
`
`
`1 A pdf version of this document is hosted at https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-
`0001564408/c10435fc-36f6-4f32-b8f0-f1617a9e1e8a.pdf
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 4 of 33 PageID #:4
`
`15.
`
`As detailed below, certain technology utilized by Snapchat required
`
`Defendant to obtain informed written consent from Shapchat users before Defendant
`
`was able to acquire the biometric identifiers and/or biometric information of Snapchat
`
`users.
`
`16.
`
`Plaintiff Coss has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post Snaps by
`
`and through the Snapchat app.
`
`17.
`
`Plaintiff Ocampo has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post Snaps
`
`by and through the Snapchat app.
`
`18.
`
`Plaintiff Coss has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post
`
`photographic based Snaps where the Snaps involved their unique facial features.
`
`19.
`
`Plaintiff Ocampo has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post
`
`photographic based Snaps where the Snaps involved their unique facial features.
`
`20.
`
`Plaintiff Coss has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post video based
`
`Snaps where the Snaps involved their unique facial features.
`
`21.
`
`Plaintiff Ocampo utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post video based
`
`Snaps where the Snaps involved their unique facial features.
`
`22.
`
`Plaintiff Coss has utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post Snaps that
`
`depicted their unique voices.
`
`23.
`
`Plaintiff Ocampo utilized the Snapchat app. to create and post Snaps that
`
`depicted their unique voices.
`
`24.
`
`As described below, Defendant has violated Plaintiffs’ privacy rights in
`
`violation of rights and prohibitions set forth by BIPA.
`
`25. On November 26, 2021, Plaintiff Coss has opted out of Defendant’s
`
`arbitration clause that was contained within Defendant’s Terms of Service dated
`
`November 15, 2021.
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 5 of 33 PageID #:5
`
`26. Defendant acknowledged receipt of Plaintiff Coss’ opt-out request at 1:13
`
`p.m. on November 26, 2021.
`
`27. On November 28, 2021, Plaintiff Ocampo has opted out of Defendant’s
`
`arbitration clause that was contained within Defendant’s Terms of Service dated
`
`November 15, 2021.
`
`28.
`
`In November and December of 2020, More than forty (40) Illinois users of
`
`Snapchat have opted out of opted out of Defendant’s arbitration clause that was
`
`contained within Defendant’s Terms of Service dated November 15, 2021.
`
`II.
`
`Jurisdiction and Venue
`
`29.
`
`Section 20 of BIPA provides Plaintiffs with a private right of action to assert
`
`violations of BIPA. See, Rosenbach, 432 Ill. Dec. at 660, 129 N.E.3d at 1203; Bryant v.
`
`Compass Grp. USA, Inc., 958 F.3d 617, 620 (7th Cir. 2020).
`
`30.
`
`The Class Action Fairness Act (“CAFA”), codified at 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d),
`
`provides jurisdiction for civil action on the basis of a diversity of citizenship, if the
`
`amount in controversy exceeds $5,000,000.
`
`31. CAFA, in relevant part, states as follows:
`
`(2) The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of any civil action
`in which the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of
`$5,000,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in
`which—
`
`(A) any member of a class of plaintiffs is a citizen of a State different
`from any defendant[.]
`
`***
`
`(6) In any class action, the claims of the individual class members shall
`be aggregated to determine whether the matter in controversy exceeds
`the sum or value of $5,000,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
`
`28 U.S.C. §§ 1332(d)(2), 1332(d)(6).
`
`32.
`
`For federal jurisdiction to exist under CAFA, more than 100 putative class
`
`members should theoretically exist. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(5)(B).
`
`
`
`5
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 6 of 33 PageID #:6
`
`33. Under CAFA, claims of individual class members are aggregated for the
`
`purposes of ascertaining whether jurisdiction is proper. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(6).
`
`34.
`
`As discussed in the previous Section, Plaintiffs are citizens of the State of
`
`Illinois and Defendant is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business
`
`located in Santa Monica, California. Based upon this diversity of citizenship, Plaintiffs
`
`have satisfied Section 1332(d)(2) of CAFA.
`
`35.
`
`This civil action is styled as a putative class action where liquidated
`
`damages for each violation of BIPA may result in liquidated damages of up to $5,000.
`
`36. Defendant’s most recent Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-
`
`Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022, claims that “Daily Active Users, or
`
`DAUs, increased 18% year-over-year to 332 million in Q1 2022.” See, Defendant’s Form
`
`10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022, at p. 25.
`
`37. Defendant defines “Daily Active Users” “as a registered Snapchat user who
`
`opens the Snapchat application at least once during a defined 24-hour period.” Id. at p.
`
`26.
`
`38. Given the volume of Snapchat users, is plausible to allege that at least
`
`50,000 to 500,000 Snaps have been created and posted by putative class members who
`
`are residents of the State of Illinois.
`
`39. CAFA jurisdiction is satisfied pursuant to Sections 1332(d)(2) and (6) of
`
`CAFA because even if a trier of fact determines that Defendant negligently violated BIPA,
`
`liability as to 5,001 violations would result in 5 million dollars in liquidated damages.
`
`40. CAFA jurisdiction is also satisfied pursuant to Sections 1332(d)(2) and (6)
`
`of CAFA because if a trier of fact in this civil action determines that Defendant
`
`intentionally or recklessly violated a provision of BIPA, a finding of 1,001 violations
`
`would result in over 5 million dollars of liquidated damages.
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 7 of 33 PageID #:7
`
`41.
`
`As reported in Defendant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending
`
`March 31, 2022, Defendant has recognized that BIPA litigation “could seriously harm
`
`our business”. See, Defendant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31,
`
`2022, pdf at p. 62.
`
`42. Defendant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022,
`
`states as follows:
`
`From time to time, we are involved in class-action lawsuits and
`other litigation matters that are expensive and time-consuming
`and could seriously harm our business.
`
`We are involved in numerous lawsuits, including putative class-
`action lawsuits brought by users and investors, some of which may
`claim statutory damages. We anticipate that we will continue to be a
`target for lawsuits in the future. Because we have millions of users,
`class-action lawsuits against us that are purportedly filed by or on
`behalf of users typically claim enormous monetary damages in the
`aggregate even if the alleged per-user harm is small or nonexistent. For
`example, in November 2020, a putative class filed an action against us
`in Illinois, alleging that we violated Illinois’ Biometric Information
`Privacy Act, or BIPA, with respect to many Illinois users of Snapchat
`and that we are liable to those users for statutory damages. We
`compelled arbitration, which the court granted, dismissing the case
`and ordering the parties to arbitrate the matter; that ruling compelling
`arbitration was recently upheld on appeal. Some plaintiffs’ attorneys
`have also indicated a desire to initiate arbitrations against us, arguing
`that we violated BIPA, in some cases on behalf of large numbers of
`Illinois users. We believe we have meritorious defenses to these
`lawsuits and arbitrations, but an unfavorable outcome in these
`lawsuits or arbitrations could seriously harm our business.
`
`See, Defendant’s Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ending March 31, 2022, at p. 62.
`
`43.
`
`28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2) provides that “[a] civil action may be brought in –
`
`(2) a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise
`
`to the claim occurred[.]”
`
`44.
`
`Venue is proper in this judicial district, a substantial part of the events or
`
`omissions giving rise to Defendant’s below described violations of BIPA took place within
`
`the State of Illinois and this judicial district.
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 8 of 33 PageID #:8
`
`45.
`
`Venue is also proper in this judicial district because Plaintiffs are citizens
`
`of the State of Illinois and they seek to vindicate their rights as provided by Illinois law.
`
`46.
`
`Further, venue is proper in this judicial district because Defendant’s
`
`conduct has harmed Plaintiffs and putative class members who are all citizens of the
`
`State of Illinois and Plaintiffs live within the confines of the Northern District of Illinois.
`
`II. Defined Terms, Statutory Prohibitions and Allowable Damages
`
`47. BIPA defines “Biometric identifier” as follows:
`
`"Biometric identifier" means a retina or iris scan, fingerprint,
`voiceprint, or scan of hand or face geometry. Biometric identifiers do
`not include writing samples, written signatures, photographs, human
`biological samples used for valid scientific testing or screening,
`demographic data, tattoo descriptions, or physical descriptions such
`as height, weight, hair color, or eye color. Biometric identifiers do not
`include donated organs, tissues, or parts as defined in the Illinois
`Anatomical Gift Act or blood or serum stored on behalf of recipients or
`potential recipients of living or cadaveric transplants and obtained or
`stored by a federally designated organ procurement agency. Biometric
`identifiers do not include biological materials regulated under the
`Genetic Information Privacy Act. Biometric identifiers do not include
`information captured from a patient in a health care setting or
`information collected, used, or stored for health care treatment,
`payment, or operations under the federal Health Insurance Portability
`and Accountability Act of 1996. Biometric identifiers do not include an
`X-ray, roentgen process, computed tomography, MRI, PET scan,
`mammography, or other image or film of the human anatomy used to
`diagnose, prognose, or treat an illness or other medical condition or to
`further validate scientific testing or screening.
`
`
`740 ILCS 14/10.
`
`48. BIPA defines “Biometric information” and “Confidential and sensitive
`
`information” as follows:
`
`"Biometric information" means any information, regardless of how it is
`captured, converted, stored, or shared, based on an individual's
`biometric
`identifier used to
`identify an
`individual. Biometric
`information does not include information derived from items or
`procedures excluded under the definition of biometric identifiers.
`
` "Confidential and sensitive information" means personal information
`that can be used to uniquely identify an individual or an individual's
`account or property. Examples of confidential and sensitive
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 9 of 33 PageID #:9
`
`information include, but are not limited to, a genetic marker, genetic
`testing information, a unique identifier number to locate an account or
`property, an account number, a PIN number, a pass code, a driver's
`license number, or a social security number.
`
`740 ILCS 14/10.
`
`49.
`
`Section 15(a) of BIPA requires private entities to develop written policies
`
`regarding the retention and destruction of “biometric identifiers” and “biometric
`
`information”:
`
`A private entity in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric
`information must develop a written policy, made available to the public,
`establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently
`destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the
`initial purpose
`for collecting or obtaining such
`identifiers or
`information has been satisfied or within 3 years of the individual's last
`interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first. Absent a
`valid warrant or subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction,
`a private entity in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric
`information must comply with its established retention schedule and
`destruction guidelines.
`
`740 ILCS 14/15(a).
`
`50.
`
` “Section 15(a) expressly conditions lawful retention of biometric data on
`
`the continuation of the initial purpose for which the data was collected. The BIPA
`
`requirement to implement data retention and destruction protocols protects a person's
`
`biometric privacy just as concretely as the statute's informed-consent regime.” Fox, 980
`
`F.3d at 1155.
`
`51.
`
`“It follows that an unlawful retention of a person's biometric data is as
`
`concrete and particularized an injury as an unlawful collection of a person's biometric
`
`data.” Id.
`
`52.
`
`As set forth below, Defendant has violated Section 15(a) of BIPA because
`
`it appears that it has failed to develop and publish written policies regarding the
`
`retention and destruction of “biometric identifiers” and “biometric information”.
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 10 of 33 PageID #:10
`
`53.
`
`Section 15(b) of BIPA requires private entities to obtained informed written
`
`consent from persons before a private entity can obtain their biometric identifiers
`
`and/or biometric information.
`
`54.
`
`Section 15(b) of BIPA specifically states that “[n]o private entity may
`
`collect, capture, purchase, receive through trade, or otherwise obtain a person's or a
`
`customer's biometric identifier or biometric information, unless it first” takes the
`
`following actions:
`
`(1) informs the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative
`in writing that a biometric identifier or biometric information is being
`collected or stored;
`
`(2) informs the subject or the subject's legally authorized representative
`in writing of the specific purpose and length of term for which a
`biometric identifier or biometric information is being collected, stored,
`and used; and
`
`(3) receives a written release executed by the subject of the biometric
`identifier or biometric information or the subject's legally authorized
`representative.
`
`55. BIPA defines “[w]ritten release” as “informed written consent”. 740 ILCS
`
`14/10.
`
`56.
`
`Informed-consent is the "heart of BIPA." Bryant v. Compass Grp. USA, Inc.,
`
`958 F.3d 617, 626 (7th Cir. 2020).
`
`57.
`
`Section 15(b) ensures that "consumers understand, before providing their
`
`biometric data, how that information will be used, who will have access to it, and for
`
`how long it will be retained." Id.
`
`58.
`
`The failure to obtain informed consent before collecting an individual's
`
`biometric data necessarily inflicts an Article III injury. Bryant, 958 F.3d at 619, 624,
`
`626 (comparing a violation of section 15(b) to "an invasion of [an individual's] private
`
`domain, much like an act of trespass").
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 11 of 33 PageID #:11
`
`59. Defendant has violated Section 15(b) of BIPA because it collected Plaintiffs’
`
`biometric information without first obtaining informed written consent from Plaintiffs.
`
`60.
`
`Section 15(c) of BIPA provides that "[n]o private entity in possession of a
`
`biometric identifier or biometric information may sell, lease, trade, or otherwise profit
`
`from a person's or a customer's biometric identifier or biometric information." 740 ILCS
`
`14/15(c).
`
`61.
`
`Section 15(c) "flatly prohibits" certain for-profit transactions involving
`
`biometric data. Thornley v. Clearview AI, Inc., 984 F.3d 1241, 1247 (7th Cir. 2021).
`
`62.
`
`Section 15(c) does not allow an entity to avoid liability merely by obtaining
`
`the informed consent of the individual whose biometric data it profits from.
`
`63.
`
`Section 15(c)'s prohibition on for-profit transactions involving biometric
`
`data is "the same kind of general regulation as the duty to create and publish a retention
`
`and destruction schedule found in section 15(a)." Thornley, 984 F.3d at 1247.
`
`64. Defendant has violated Section 15(c) of BIPA because it has sold, leases,
`
`traded, and/or otherwise profited from its use of Plaintiffs’ biometric identifiers and/or
`
`their biometric information.
`
`65.
`
`Section 15(d) of BIPA prohibits private entities
`
`from disclosing,
`
`redisclosing, or otherwise disseminating a person's biometric identifier or biometric
`
`information with first obtaining informed written consent of the subject.
`
`66. Defendant has violated Section 15(d) of BIPA because it has disclosed,
`
`redisclosed, and/or otherwise disseminated Plaintiffs’ biometric identifier and/or
`
`biometric information without their informed written consent.
`
`67.
`
`In enacting BIPA, the Illinois legislature determined that violations of BIPA
`
`should result in awards of liquidated damages.
`
`
`
`11
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 12 of 33 PageID #:12
`
`68.
`
`Section 20 of BIPA provides that “[a] prevailing party may recover for each
`
`violation: ... (1) against a private entity negligently violates a provision of this Act,
`
`liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater” and that “[a]
`
`prevailing party may recover for each violation: ... (a) against a private entity that
`
`intentionally or recklessly violates a provision of this Act, liquidated damages of $5,000
`
`or actual damages, whichever is greater”. 740 ILCS 14/20(1)-(2).
`
`69.
`
`Additionally, in enacting BIPA, the Illinois legislature determined that “[a]
`
`prevailing party” in a BIPA action “may recover ... (3) reasonable attorneys' fees and
`
`costs, including expert witness fees and other litigation expenses” and injunctive relief.
`
`740 ILCS 14/20(3)-(4).
`
`III. Defendant’s Violations of BIPA
`
`70.
`
`This putative Class Action Complaint, brought on behalf of citizens of the
`
`State of Illinois, alleges that Defendant has violated Sections 15(a), 15(b), 15(c) and 15(d)
`
`of BIPA.
`
`71. Defendant has violated BIPA because its technology works by imaging a
`
`user’s face to capture and utilize a user’s biometric identifiers and/or biometric
`
`information without a user’s informed written consent.
`
`72. Defendant has acquired Looksery, Inc., a company that developed an app.
`
`(Looksery) which used facial recognition technology for the purpose of capturing and
`
`modifying a person’s facial features in real-time.
`
`73. Defendant modified the Looksery app. and the Looksery app. became
`
`known as a Snapchat feature referred to as “Lenses”.
`
`74.
`
`Additionally, Defendant has applied for at least one patent, where the
`
`patent application describes the use of “[a] facial recognition technique”. See, Patent No.
`
`
`
`12
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 13 of 33 PageID #:13
`
`US9396354B1, found at https://patents.google.com/patent/US9396354 (last visited
`
`5/3/2022).
`
`75. Defendant requires users of Snapchat to provide Defendant with access to
`
`their smartphones’ cameras.
`
`76.
`
`According to Defendant, “[m]any of our services require us to collect
`
`images and other information from your device’s camera and photos.”
`
`77. Defendant has also users and potential users “won’t be able to send Snaps
`
`or upload photos from your camera roll unless we can access your camera or photos.”
`
`78.
`
`As alleged herein, Defendant has failed to properly disclose to Plaintiffs
`
`that its Snapchat app would collect and monetize the "biometric identifiers" and/or
`
`"Biometric information" (hereafter "Biometric(s)") of Plaintiffs without their informed
`
`written consent.
`
`79.
`
`As alleged herein, Defendant has failed to properly disclose to putative
`
`class members that its Snapchat app would collect and monetize the "biometric
`
`identifiers" and/or "Biometric information" (hereafter "Biometrics") of putative class
`
`members without their informed written consent.
`
`80. Defendant has collected the Biometrics of Plaintiffs and putative class
`
`members in violation of the prohibitions set forth by BIPA.
`
`81.
`
`For example, when Plaintiffs and putative class members have utilized the
`
`Snapchat app., they have utilized a feature called “Lenses” (hereafter “Lenses Feature”,
`
`where Lenses Feature allowed them to modify their facial features with special effects.
`
`82.
`
`Snatpchat’s Lenses Feature worked by having users (a) open up the
`
`Camera screen in the Shapchat app., on their smartphone, (b) “press” and aim their
`
`smartphone at a user’s face press, (c) “swipe” left to “select” a particular Lenses, (d)
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 14 of 33 PageID #:14
`
`follow any prompts (such as “Raise Your Eyebrows” and (e) “tap” the “capture button”
`
`to take a Snap or press and hold the “capture button” to take a Snap video.
`
`83.
`
`Snapchat’s Lenses Feature involved and/or involves the use of technology
`
`to create a face scan or face template of a user where the Feature involved creating,
`
`obtaining and storing of a user’s unique "biometric identifiers" and/or "Biometric
`
`information".
`
`84.
`
`Snatpchat’s Lenses Feature involved and/or involves the collection, use,
`
`modification, monetization and/or storage of a user’s "biometric identifiers" and/or
`
`"Biometric information" in violation of Section 15(1) of BIPA.
`
`85.
`
`For example, each time Plaintiffs used the Lenses Feature, the Snapchat
`
`app. scanned their faces and stored the resulting image.
`
`86. Each time Plaintiffs used the Lenses Feature, the Snapchat app. scanned
`
`their faces to create a detailed map or digital depiction of their facial features.
`
`87. Each time Plaintiffs used the Lenses Feature was used by Plaintiffs, the
`
`Snapchat app. scanned the faces of Plaintiffs, which resulted in Defendant obtaining
`
`and/collecting Plaintiffs’ unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” as
`
`these terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`88. Each time a Defendant’s Lenses Feature scanned Plaintiffs’ faces and
`
`obtained their unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information”, the Lenses
`
`Feature did so without Plaintiffs’ informed written consent.
`
`89.
`
`Further, when putative class members used the Lenses Feature, the
`
`Snapchat app. scanned their faces to create a detailed map of their facial features.
`
`90. Each time putative class members used the Lenses Feature, the Snapchat
`
`app. scanned their faces to create a detailed map or digital depiction of their facial
`
`features.
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 15 of 33 PageID #:15
`
`91. Each time putative class members used the Lenses Feature, the Snapchat
`
`app. scanned their faces, which resulted in Defendant obtaining and/or collecting the
`
`unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” of each putative class members
`
`- as these terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`92. Each time Defendant’s Lenses Feature obtained and/or collected the
`
`unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” of putative class members, it did
`
`so without their informed written consent.
`
`93.
`
`The Snapchat app. also utilizes so-called “Sponsored Lenses” that are
`
`utilized by in conjunction with Defendant’s sponsors.
`
`94. On information and belief, “Sponsored Lenses” have violated Section 15(b)
`
`of BIPA by obtaining and/or collecting the unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric
`
`information” of Plaintiffs and putative class members – without their informed written
`
`consent.
`
`95.
`
`The Snapchat app. also scanned and modified the facial features of
`
`Plaintiffs and putative class members with certain user enabled filters (hereafter
`
`“Filters”).
`
`96.
`
`Snatpchat’s Filters
`
`involve and/or
`
`involved
`
`the collection, use,
`
`modification, monetization and/or storage of the "biometric identifiers" and/or
`
`"Biometric information" of Plaintiffs and putative class members.
`
`97. Each time Plaintiffs used a Filter, the Snapchat app. scanned their faces
`
`and obtained their unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” as these
`
`terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`98. Each time Plaintiffs used a Snapchat app. Filter a scan of their faces, the
`
`Snapchat app. collected and/or obtained their unique “biometric identifier” or
`
`“biometric information” without their informed written consent.
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 16 of 33 PageID #:16
`
`99. Each time putative class members used a Filter, the Snapchat app.
`
`scanned their faces and obtained their unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric
`
`information” as these terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`100. Each time putative class members used a Snapchat app. Filter a scan of
`
`their faces, the Snapchat app. collected and/or obtained their unique “biometric
`
`identifier” or “biometric information” without their informed written consent.
`
`101. Defendant has failed to fully and properly disclose to Plaintiffs and
`
`putative class members that its Filters collected, captured, or otherwise obtained their
`
`unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” as these terms are defined by
`
`BIPA.
`
`102. Defendant has failed to disclose to Plaintiffs and putative class members
`
`that its Filters collected, captured, or otherwise obtained their unique “biometric
`
`identifier” or “biometric information” as these terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`103. Defendant failed to obtain Plaintiffs’ informed written consent prior to
`
`obtaining their unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” as these terms
`
`are defined by BIPA.
`
`104. Defendant failed to obtain putative class members informed written
`
`consent prior to obtaining their unique “biometric identifier” or “biometric information”
`
`as these terms are defined by BIPA.
`
`105. Defendant has failed to disclose how it uses the “biometric identifier” and
`
`“biometric information” they have obtained from Plaintiffs and putative class members.
`
`106. Defendant has failed to disclose to Plaintiffs and putative class members
`
`whether it has shared their “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” with third
`
`parties.
`
`
`
`16
`
`

`

`Case: 1:22-cv-02480 Document #: 1 Filed: 05/11/22 Page 17 of 33 PageID #:17
`
`107. Defendant has failed to disclose to Plaintiffs and putative class members
`
`whether it will share their “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” with third
`
`parties.
`
`108. Defendant has failed to disclose to Plaintiffs and putative class members
`
`whether it has sold their “biometric identifier” or “biometric information” to third parties.
`
`109. Each of the proposed class definitions are limited to BIPA violati

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket