"FTC Lawsuit Targets Data Broker for Selling De-Anonymized Information"
The Federal Trade Commission's lawsuit against data broker Kochava, accused of selling sensitive geolocation data without user consent, has been allowed to proceed by a US District Judge. The FTC alleges that Kochava's data sales invade consumers' privacy and expose them to risks of secondary harms by third parties. Examples cited include tracking a Catholic priest's personal use of Grindr and movements to LGBTQ+-associated locations, as well as targeting abortion-minded women with ads. Kochava denies the allegations and seeks to dismiss the case, but the court ruled in favor of the FTC, which seeks a permanent injunction to stop Kochava from allegedly selling sensitive data without user consent.