Cinemark Faces Mass Arbitration for Illegally Sharing Data with Facebook
By Movieguide® Contributor
Cinemark is facing a mass arbitration after using tracking tools to gather data about users that it secretly shared with Facebook.
“Attorneys believe Cinemark may have violated a federal law called the Video Privacy Protection Act by sharing details about website and app users’ movie ticket purchases with Facebook,” said classaction.org.
“They believe that the movie theater chain may be using tracking tools on its website and app to secretly transmit details about users’ ticket purchases – including movie titles – to Facebook. This data may tie a user’s movie watching history to their Facebook ID, a unique identifier that can be used to match the individual to their Facebook profile,” the organization added.
This action would violate the Video Privacy Protection Act, which protects “video tape service providers” from sharing data with third parties without users’ consent. The data tracked could include the buttons users click, the searches they perform and the content they view. Facebook would then use this data for advertising.
The mass arbitration would allow users to settle with Cinemark outside of court and receive compensation for selling their data.
“Mass arbitration occurs when hundreds or thousands of consumers file individual arbitration claims against the same company over the same issue at the same time,” classaction.org explains. “The aim of a mass arbitration proceeding is to grant relief on a large scale (similar to a class action lawsuit) for those who sign up.”
Consumers who have used Cinemark’s website or app within the past two years and have a Facebook account are eligible to sign up for this mass arbitration and could receive up to $2,500 as a settlement.
While the result of the mass arbitration is yet to be determined, Facebook has a long history of engaging in questionable practices to gather user data. Earlier this year, it rolled out a feature that tracks the websites you’ve accessed through Facebook.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Meta recently released a new feature that allows the tech giant to track its users more easily.
The Link History feature stores a list of websites visited on the Facebook Mobile Browser within the last 30 days.
Per Fox News, “Meta’s Link History setting collects the links you’ve clicked on within the Facebook app. This is limited to links you accessed within Facebook’s browser, which automatically pops up when you click on a link within the Facebook app. You can then view all the links you’ve clicked on and then revisit those links, which will reopen in Facebook’s browser.”
While Meta rolled out this feature for convenience, users realize that it is just another way the company can track their information.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
