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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Case Law Developments

$228M Damages Award Vacated in First BIPA Trial

Karen H. Shin |

The U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois vacated a $228 million damages award in Rogers v. BNSF Railway Co., the first case tried to a verdict under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”). In Rogers v. BNSF Railway Co., rail workers alleged that BNSF Railway Co. (“BNSF”) collected their biometric information without informed consent. The jury found that BNSF had recklessly or intentionally violated BIPA 45,600 times (one violation per class member). BIPA provides that intentional or reckless violations of BIPA may result in liquidated damages of $5,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater.

The prior award resulted from multiplying the number of BIPA violations by $5,000 to arrive at $228 million. While the court upheld the verdict that the company violated the BIPA, it held that damages were discretionary under BIPA (due to the term “may”) and ordered a new trial limited to the question of damages.

To read more articles from the August 2023 edition of Blank Rome’s BR Privacy & Security Download, please visit our website.

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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Legislative Developments & Trends

Montana Passes Law Regulating Facial Recognition Use by Police

Jason C. Hirsch |

Montana recently passed the Facial Recognition for Government Use Act (“FRGUA”), which permits state and local agencies, including law enforcement, to use facial recognition to look for suspects, victims of, or witnesses to serious crimes. However, FRGUA prohibits the use of “continuous” facial recognition and establishes human review and audit procedures to ensure compliance with the technology. FRGUA requires police to obtain a warrant to use facial recognition absent exigent circumstances. It also restricts the state motor vehicle division to set up facial recognition only with prior approval of the legislature.

In terms of disclosure, third-party vendors of facial technology and public agencies must have use and privacy policies for individuals. Finally, FRGUA imposes monetary penalties for negligent violations of the statute and grants the attorney general the authority to initiate enforcement actions.

To read more articles from the August 2023 edition of Blank Rome’s BR Privacy & Security Download, please visit our website.

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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Legislative Developments & Trends

FTC Adopts Biometric Policy Statement

Tianmei Ann Huang |

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a policy statement (“Statement”) raising significant concerns about consumer privacy, data security, and the potential for bias and discrimination associated with the increasing use of biometric information and related technologies. The Statement warns that false, misleading, or unsubstantiated statements made about the accuracy of biometric information technologies and/or practices may face enforcement action if the FTC determines such actions to be “deceptive” and “unfair” in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act.

In making its determination, the FTC will consider factors such as foreseeability of harms, promptness of actions taken, and the adoption of appropriate data practices, including employee training, use of available tools, and evaluation of third-party service providers. According to the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, the Statement “makes clear that companies must comply with the law regardless of the technology they are using.”

To read more articles from the June 2023 edition of Blank Rome’s BR Privacy & Security Download, please visit our website.

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Biometric Privacy Compliance Tips Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Legislative Developments & Trends

NYC Introduces Bills to Limit Facial Recognition in Private Sector

Tianmei Ann Huang |

New York City Council (“Council”) members are expected to formally introduce two Local Laws on April 27, 2023, during the next Council meeting, seeking to regulate private-sector use of facial recognition (or similar surveillance technology) for identification or verification purposes.

The first bill would amend New York City’s administrative code to prohibit businesses and venues from using “biometric identifier information” (e.g., face scans) to identify or verify customers without first obtaining their written consent. These businesses and venues must also develop and make publicly available a retention-and-destruction policy, and must further comply with certain data protection, privacy, and security obligations. The proposal also includes a private right of action for civil damages up to $500 per negligent violation and up to $5,000 per intentional or reckless violation, as well as attorneys’ fees.

The second bill would ban owners of “multiple dwelling” properties (e.g., residential buildings) from installing, activating, or using “biometric recognition technology” to identify tenants or their guests. The legislation, if enacted, would be one of the first laws to place city-wide restrictions on the use of biometric recognition technology in the private sector.

Based on the introduction of these dual bills, companies in NYC that currently collect biometric data, or are considering doing so, are encouraged to contact experienced counsel to provide protective compliance measures—lest they become the target of civil litigation.

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Biometric Privacy Compliance Tips Case Law Developments Class Action Litigation Defense Strategies

Illinois Supreme Court: Federal Labor Law Preempts Union Employees’ BIPA Claims

Tianmei Ann Huang |

The Illinois Supreme Court in Walton v. Roosevelt University, 2023 IL 128338 (Mar. 23, 2023), unanimously affirmed dismissal of the putative class action arising under the Illinois Biometric Privacy Information Act, 740 ILCS 14/1 (“BIPA”), concluding that federal labor law preempted BIPA claims brought by unionized employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”). Consistent with Seventh Circuit federal court decisions in support of federal preemption, the Walton high court’s ruling specifically provides that Section 301 of the federal Labor Management Relations Act (“LMRA”), 29 U.S.C. § 185, preempts BIPA claims asserted by union employees (or bargaining unit employees) covered by a CBA in Illinois state courts. Therefore, the federal preemption defense may be used to foreclose these unionized employees from bringing BIPA claims in state and federal courts, including on a class action basis.

In Walton, the representative plaintiff was a member of a union subject to a CBA, which included a broad management-rights clause, during his employment with Roosevelt University. The putative class alleged that Roosevelt University used scanning devices to enroll employees’ hand geometry scans for timekeeping purposes, but Roosevelt University failed to fulfill BIPA’s Section 15 requirements. However, under the LMRA, the provisions of the CBA should govern, and even if “biometric” data is not expressly discussed within the CBA, a broad management-rights clause along with provisions regarding employee timekeeping and grievance resolution procedures may be sufficient to preclude BIPA litigation.

Overall, the Walton decision offers a measure of relief to defendants involved in BIPA disputes brought by union employees, particularly following the liability-expanding Illinois Supreme Court decisions in Cothron and Tims, as previously discussed. To avoid future litigation, employers should carefully exercise their exclusive rights to direct the employees covered by a CBA or other contract.

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Biometric Privacy Compliance Tips Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Case Law Developments

Illinois Supreme Court Dramatically Expands Liability by Ruling Each Scan of a Biometric Identifier Is a Separate Violation

Amanda M. Noonan |

In a 4-3 split, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that claims under Sections 15(b) and 15(d) of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) accrue each time a private entity scans a person’s biometric identifier and/or submits such scan to a third party—rather than only upon first collection. Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc., 2023 IL 128004 (Feb. 17, 2023). This decision—which dramatically expands the scope of potential liability for BIPA defendants—comes just weeks after the Illinois Supreme Court held a five-year statute of limitations applies to all BIPA causes of action in Tims v. Blackhorse Carriers, Inc., 2023 IL 127801 (Feb. 2, 2023).

The impact of Cothron on claim accrual, coupled with Tims’ resolution of the statute of limitations, will have an immense and immediate impact on BIPA class-action lawsuits—many of which had been stayed pending these decisions.

For many businesses that implement biometric time clocks, which scan biometric identifiers to track employee time/attendance, this means each time an employee scans in-and-out of work, a new BIPA violation accrues. Together with the five-year statute of limitations period, BIPA defendants may now be facing hundreds—if not thousands—of independent BIPA violations for a single complainant.

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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Case Law Developments Class Action Litigation Defense Strategies

Illinois Supreme Court Holds Five-Year Statute of Limitations Applies to All Biometric Information Privacy Act Claims

Amanda M. Noonan |

In a highly anticipated decision, the Illinois Supreme Court in Tims v. Blackhorse Carriers, Inc., 2023 IL 127801 (Feb. 2, 2023), recently resolved longstanding uncertainty about the statute of limitations under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”). The Court held all claims arising under BIPA are governed by the five-year “catch-all” statute of limitations period provided by section 13-205 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure. See 735 ILCS 5/13-205. In so holding, the Court adopted the most expansive of the two limitations periods at issue. And it rejected Defendant’s—and the broader defense bar’s—contention that Illinois’ one-year limitations period, as applied to certain privacy/defamation actions, should extend to all BIPA actions.

Notably, the Supreme Court reversed, in part, the First District Illinois Appellate Court’s decision that incongruently applied a one-year limitations period to claims arising under Sections 15(c), and 15(d)—but a five-year limitations period for BIPA actions accruing under Sections 15(a), 15(b), and 15(e). Under the Appellate Court’s reasoning, Sections 15(c) and 15(d) included elements of publication analogous to certain common law privacy torts, and, for that reason, required application of Illinois’ one-year statute of limitations for “actions for slander, libel or for publication of matter violating the right of privacy” 735 ILCS 5/13-201. At the same time, the Appellate Court applied the “catch all” five-year statute of limitations period to claims under Sections 15(a), 15(b), and 15(e), reasoning no publication element was involved. 735 ILCS 5/13-205.

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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape Case Law Developments Class Action Litigation Defense Strategies

First Biometric Privacy Jury Trial Results in Massive $228 Million Dollar Verdict

Amanda M. Noonan |

A federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois conducted the first-ever jury trial in an Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) case. On October 12, 2022, the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff—and more than 45,000 class members—regarding defendant BNSF Railway’s (“BNSF”) reckless violations of BIPA. See Rogers v. BNSF Railway Co., No. 1:19-cv-03083 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 12, 2022). Plaintiffs’ claims centered on BNSF’s collection of fingerprints to verify their identities and allow access to BNSF’s facilities without obtaining their written consent, as required under BIPA Section 15(b).

After a five-day trial—and only an hour of deliberations—the jury found BNSF not only violated BIPA 46,500 times, but did so intentionally or recklessly under 735 ILCS 14/20(2). The jury’s finding on that issue quintupled plaintiff’s damages award to $5,000 per violation, as opposed to $1,000 per negligent violation. As a result, District Judge Matthew Kennelly entered a $228 million dollar damages award in plaintiffs’ favor following the verdict. BNSF has stated it intends to appeal.

The implications of the verdict loom large. On the plaintiff’s side, counsel will likely increase the already large-scale BIPA filings and push for higher settlement amounts, using the prospect of a successful jury trial as a bargaining chip. Given the stakes, BIPA defendants may be more inclined to seek early resolution once named in a BIPA class action to avoid a bet-the-company litigation at all costs.

Considering the verdict, early compliance efforts by companies implementing biometric technology are even more crucial to avoid BIPA litigation in the first instance. Significantly, companies using any technology that could arguably constitute biometrics—regardless of the sophistication—may be targeted by zealous plaintiff’s attorneys seeking to join the ever-increasing cascade of BIPA class action filings. Biometrics privacy counsel should thus be consulted to address compliance strategies to protect against the catastrophic risks of a BIPA verdict at the earliest possible opportunity.

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Biometric Privacy Legal Landscape The Lighter Side of Biometrics

Delta Airlines Debuts “Parallel Reality” Biometric Flight Information Display

Rachel Evans* |

On June 29, 2022, travelers at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport were the first to interact with a new flight information display that uses facial recognition technology “to identify participating travelers and show them the appropriate information.”

How It Works

Customers can opt-in to the experience by either scanning their boarding pass or activating facial recognition at the Parallel Reality kiosk to check in to their flight and receive day-of-travel information at their fingertips—or, more appropriately, at their facial scan.

Once a customer has checked in and approached the flight information board, cameras embedded in the board will match an individual to their picture and engage multi-view pixels to display a unique message only the intended customer can see.

Nearly all travelers can simultaneously look at the display and receive completely different, personalized information relating to their travel plan.

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Legislative Developments & Trends

Congressional Hearing Update: “Privacy in the Age of Biometrics”

Rachel Evans* |

On June 29, 2022, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology heard testimony from multiple experts about the expansion of biometric technology and the future of American privacy law. This hearing signals Congress’ intention to consider new legislation aimed at protecting privacy interests while simultaneously encouraging the expansion of biometric technologies.

Chairman Bill Foster (D-IL) opened the hearing with concerns that the broad impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision would significantly weaken privacy protections, explaining that “[t]he timing of our discussion … is notable[.] [T]his makes protecting Americans biometric data more important than ever.” Congress’ focus will now “be on how technological solutions can secure our privacy while allowing us to enjoy the benefits of biometric tools.”

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