Facebook Now Defendant in Nationwide Privacy Class Action Lawsuit

Facebook admitted to tracking users who weren't even on the Web site last September, and a Baltimore based law firm has now filed a class action lawsuit in a Northern California District court. It's not the first lawsuit filed against Facebook over privacy concerns, but it's the first nationwide class action suit that potentially involves anyone who was a member before Facebook changed their privacy policy. The thrust of the lawsuit filed by Murphy PA, Peter G. Angelos and Gerard Gibbs LLP law firms is that Facebook violated the Federal Wiretap Act and several other California state laws.

The days when online service providers can run roughshod over the privacy rights of their customers are over, Murphy PA founding partner William Murphy Jr. said in a statement.

Companies that operate commercial websites, such as Facebook, need to realize the public is increasingly concerned about its privacy rights. Perhaps even more importantly, there is a growing community of security experts and bloggers that is extremely savvy about internet technology and committed to ensuring that people's privacy rights are respected and protected.

The lawsuit was filed the same day no less than President Obama publicly floated his own strategy about how best to protect online privacy. A so-called consumer privacy bill of rights would attempt to get online advertisers to respect do-not-track technology in use on many Web browsers. It would also guide new privacy policies overseen by the U.S. Commerce Department.

American consumers can't wait any longer for clear rules of the road that ensure their personal information is safe online, President Obama said in a statement.

As the Internet evolves, consumer trust is essential for the continued growth of the digital economy. That's why an online privacy Bill of Rights is so important.

Obama tied the idea to protecting business interests online as well, as online business has grown to a $200 billion per year industry. Tell us in the comments if you'd join a class action suit against Facebook and why or why not.