From The Next Web · Alina Maria Stan · · 1m 10s
Supreme Court leans toward privacy in video tracking case
Justices appeared skeptical of Paramount's defense in a case that could expose websites to mass privacy lawsuits over video tracking.
In brief
Justices appeared skeptical of Paramount's defense in a case that could expose websites to mass privacy lawsuits over video tracking. The Supreme Court seemed ready to side with Michael Salazar against Paramount over unauthorized sharing of video history with Facebook, potentially opening websites to widespread…
The case at the Supreme Court
Michael Salazar signed up for a newsletter from two forty seven Sports, a Paramount-owned college sports site, in two thousand twenty two.While logged into Facebook, he watched videos on the site.
What the law protects
Salazar's claim rests on the Video Privacy Protection Act.Congress passed it in nineteen eighty eight after a journalist published the video rental history of Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork.The law protects consumers of video providers.
The justices' skepticism
Justice Elena Kagan said websites had two simple choices: get consent or stop selling private data.Justice Sonia Sotomayor said gating videos behind consent would leave the choice to users.
“It's going to be over-broad consent, no doubt.”
What comes next
A win for Salazar could open the door to more lawsuits against sites that use tracking tools on video pages.A ruling is expected by next summer.
What it means
The Supreme Court seemed ready to side with Michael Salazar against Paramount over unauthorized sharing of video history with Facebook, potentially opening websites to widespread privacy litigation.
