Today, the Supreme Court will take up Spokeo, Inc v. Robins, a case that could have far-reaching implications for privacy class-action lawsuits, Los Angeles Times reports. “If you have automatic damages for statutory violations,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce attorney Roy T. Englert, “it is a ticket for class-actions to sue for millions and even billions on behalf of people who didn’t suffer any harm.” However, Marc Rotenberg of the Electronic Privacy Information Center said, “This is no time for the court to make it harder to bring lawsuits against companies” that are profiting off the sale of personal data. The Editorial Board for The New York Times said the justices should let the case proceed. Separately, Google has asked a judge to delay a different privacy lawsuit until after the Supreme Court decides on Spokeo. Editor’s Note: Robins’ representative, Jay Edelson, joins the IAPP for a web conference on VPPA class actions, on Nov. 19.
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