Oracle, a prominent database software and cloud computing company, has reached a settlement agreement in a significant privacy lawsuit. The company will pay $115 million to resolve allegations that it violated privacy laws by collecting and selling personal information without user consent. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco federal court, accused Oracle of creating detailed “digital dossiers” on hundreds of millions of individuals. These dossiers allegedly contained sensitive data such as browsing history, financial information, and location data, which was then sold to marketers through Oracle products like ID Graph.
The plaintiffs in the class-action lawsuit argued that Oracle’s practices violated federal and state privacy laws, as well as California’s constitution. They claimed that Oracle collected this data without proper notice or consent, and then used it for targeted advertising purposes without individuals’ knowledge or control. Oracle, however, has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.
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The settlement, which still requires a judge’s approval, covers individuals whose personal information was collected or sold by Oracle since August 19, 2018. As part of the agreement, Oracle has committed to limiting its data collection practices. The company will no longer gather user-generated information from websites individuals visit or forms they fill, except on Oracle’s own platforms. This restriction aims to protect user privacy and ensure greater transparency in data collection practices.
The settlement highlights the growing awareness and concern surrounding data privacy in today’s digital world. It also reflects the increasing scrutiny being placed on tech companies involved in data collection and monetization. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting personal information and the need for companies to be transparent about their data practices.