Illinois residents are pursuing a massive class-action lawsuit against Apple over facial recognition features in the Photos app.
The case alleges unauthorized collection of biometric data from users’ photos, reports AppleInsider.
Plaintiffs claim the app scans faces to generate unique identifiers that help organize images and identify device owners.
These identifiers are stored locally on devices and synchronized through iCloud, according to the complaint.
The suit invokes the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, which mandates consent for gathering such data and imposes penalties of up to $5,000 per intentional violation. The law aims to regulate how biometric information, such as retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints and faceprints, is used by private companies.
With an estimated 6.5 million potential class members in the state, total damages could reach $32.5 billion if the plaintiffs prevail.
Apple maintains that its technology does not qualify as biometric identifiers under the statute and incorporates safeguards against face reconstruction or identity linkage.
A federal judge certified the class action in early June, and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Apple’s bid to overturn that decision later the same month.
The 2008 Illinois law has previously prompted large settlements, including a $650 million resolution with Facebook over similar photo-tagging practices.
The company denies any wrongdoing while the litigation moves forward in court.
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