Google Faces Potential Class-Action Lawsuit Over Wallet Privacy

Google is about to face the music about Wallet. A district court denied Google's motion to dismiss a lawsuit that the company shared too much of a customer's personal information with a Developer. Lead plaintiff in the case, Alice Svenson, says Google sent "unnecessary" info about her to YCDroid, whom she paid $1.77 to for an email app. Filed in September of 2013, the lawsuit is seeking up to $1,000 per incident and class-action status so others can pursue litigation.

Svenson says Google sent information including zip codes, phone numbers, and email addresses. The case is concentrated for Wallet users, but if you've purchased an app via Google Play — that's you.

U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman in San Jose, California said Wallet users can now try to prove Google "frustrated" their own privacy policy in allowing a "blanket, universal disclosure" of personal info to Developers.

Google stopped sending the info along to Developers shortly after the lawsuit was filed. The company declined to comment on the matter.

Recently, Google purchased IP from Softcard and is working to get the app installed on smartphones via carriers. Apple Pay is a leading competitor for Google Wallet, and Samsung recently purchased LoopPay, and interesting technology that will try to upend the mobile payment space.

Source: Reuters