California jury rules Meta violated privacy law in case involving period-tracking app

Core Viewpoint - A California jury ruled against Meta in a privacy-related lawsuit, finding that the company violated the California Invasion of Privacy Act by allegedly collecting sensitive data from the Flo period-tracking app [1][2]. Group 1: Lawsuit Background - The lawsuit is a class-action case that dates back to 2021, involving Flo Health and other companies, including Meta and Google-parent Alphabet [2]. - Flo Health had assured users that their sensitive reproductive health information would not be disclosed, yet personal data was shared with companies like Meta and Google through online ad-related tools [3]. Group 2: Legal Proceedings and Outcomes - Google and one analytics firm settled their claims before the jury trial, while Flo Health settled just before the trial concluded on August 1. Meta opted to go to court and subsequently lost the case [4]. - Meta is expected to appeal the jury's verdict [4]. Group 3: Statements and Reactions - Lead trial lawyers stated that the verdict emphasizes the importance of protecting digital health data and holding Big Tech accountable for profiting from users' intimate information [5]. - A Meta spokesperson expressed disagreement with the ruling, asserting that user privacy is important to the company and that it prohibits developers from sending sensitive information [6].