A class action lawsuit has been initiated against Ticketmaster, accusing the company of using unauthorized tracking tools on its website, which allegedly breach California privacy laws. This lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on January 5. Jeffrey Scruggs, a resident of Solano County, California, is leading the charge.
Allegations Against Ticketmaster
The complaint claims that Ticketmaster employs various advertising and analytics trackers from prominent tech companies such as Google, Facebook, TikTok, and Microsoft Bing. These trackers reportedly collect sensitive user data, including IP addresses, page URLs, timestamps, and device characteristics without user consent. The goal of this data collection is purportedly for behavioral profiling, advertising measurement, audience segmentation, and identity-linked tracking.
Violation of Privacy Laws
The lawsuit argues that Ticketmaster’s use of these technologies violates the California Invasion of Privacy Act. It emphasizes that the company operates these tools without proper judicial authorization or consent from users. The complaint references the California Penal Code, which restricts the unauthorized use of tracking devices that capture metadata for commercial purposes.
Financial Implications
The proposed class action aims to represent all California residents who have accessed Ticketmaster’s website. Given California law, the potential penalties could reach up to $5,000 per violation. The complaint estimates that the total matter in controversy exceeds $5 million and indicates there are over 100 members in the proposed class.
Context of Previous Legal Challenges
This lawsuit is part of a series of legal troubles facing Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation. Earlier, another ticketing company, Fanimal, had filed a suit against Ticketmaster for alleged anticompetitive practices that reportedly led to Fanimal’s closure. Furthermore, Ticketmaster and Live Nation recently sought to dismiss a lawsuit from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission concerning ticket resales. The FTC alleges that they allowed ticket scalpers to purchase large quantities of tickets illegally.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Filed On | January 5 |
| Filed By | Jeffrey Scruggs |
| Court | U.S. District Court for Central District of California |
| Potential Penalties | $5,000 per violation |
| Total Matter in Controversy | Exceeds $5 million |
| Proposed Class Size | Over 100 members |
As the case unfolds, it could have significant implications not only for Ticketmaster but also for how online privacy is managed in California.
