WMPowerUser reports that “Alex Hanff, a prominent privacy campaigner based in Lancaster, England, has filed a claim against Google at the small claims court for around £400 to replace his HTC Desire.”
The reason for the claim is that since purchasing his Android phone Google has adjusted its privacy policy to collect data across Google’s services, including the location data stored on its mobile operating system, to sell the profile to advertisers.
Hanff states that “The changes are a significant infringement of my right to privacy and I do not consent to Google being able to use my data in such a way” and he believes that the changes go beyond what is reasonable within a contract period.
Google’s initial response has been that those concerned can use the phones without logging into their Google accounts, essentially turning the expensive smartphone into a basic feature phone, which for many would make the purchase redundant and therefore not a valid method of response.
Whether this case will succeed or not remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting turn of events and, quite honestly, unsurprising. Google has been pushing its luck for a length of time regarding how it treats the private data of its users, and if this case gains a high enough profile it could potentially cause a chain-reaction from other users turning into a backlash against the company.
The suit could win. While I don’t worry much about Google “invading my privacy,” it certainly seems that people who DO feel that way have a legitimate complaint — and if Google’s only response is to tell them to use the phone in a way that makes it worthless for the price paid I’d say they might have a case!
– MJM