Tyler, TX: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Google over allegations that the company invades the privacy of its Gmail customers by scanning their emails for advertising opportunities.
Kelly Michaels, individually and as a representative of a class of similarly situated persons, filed suit against Google Inc. on March 8 in the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division. The suit claims that Google scans and captures the contents of every email sent and received through Gmail in an effort to target advertising campaigns.
The complaint also argues that Google does not inform users that it regularly and routinely scans, captures and disseminates the content of every email sent through Gmail. The suit states that content is analyzed to derive the concepts of the email and then, based on identifying keywords, Google targets the user with specific advertisements.
"Google derives income from Gmail by marketing their ability to target advertisements to individual Gmail users based on the scan of such users' email and the concepts derived from the analysis of users' email contents," the lawsuit states.
The suit alleges that Google is violating the Federal Wiretap Act, violating Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code regarding electronic communications, violating the Texas Penal Code regarding electronic communications, invasion of privacy and fraud.
