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Delivery Robots Scan Faces and Collect Customer Biometric Data, Lawsuit Alleges
Two Chicago men are suing delivery robot companies Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics for allegedly collecting their biometric information without consent. The two separate class action lawsuits were filed earlier this month. Both claim that the robots’ external cameras and internal LiDAR technology are used to scan and collect measurements of customers’ faces and hands as they approach the devices.
That data was then retained and used to train AI systems, according to the plaintiffs, and attached to personally identifiable information like names and addresses.
One suit filed against Coco Robotics claims the company didn’t disclose to customers that its device would scan and collect information, thereby violating Illinois privacy laws. It also extends the privacy violation claim to the use of remote human operators, who were allegedly able to watch the delivery and scanning in real-time.
Google’s Work in Schools Aims to Create a ‘Pipeline of Future Users,’ Internal Documents Say
Newly filed internal documents show how Google viewed its work with schools as a way of turning children into lifelong customers — while the company simultaneously acknowledged research suggesting that YouTube, one of Google’s main platforms, can be unsafe and distracting.
In a 2018 presentation, one slide noted that the public sees YouTube as problematic for students because there is “No way to block unsafe content, comments, ads,” a challenge without a workable solution. A presentation last updated in 2024 said some survey respondents blamed YouTube for keeping them awake at night, among other negative effects on their well-being.
At the same time, other presentations described how Google’s growing presence in schools — through Chromebooks as well as its learning platforms and YouTube — helped the company build a “Pipeline of future users.”
Meta Ordered to Pay $25 Billion for Deceiving Users on Privacy
A New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay $25 billion on Wednesday for deceiving users about its data privacy practices, one of the largest penalties levied against a tech giant.
New Mexico sued Meta in 2021 over a scandal involving the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, saying the social media company had misled users with its public statements about their data privacy. Last month, after a two-week trial, a jury in the State District Court in Santa Fe ruled against Meta, saying the company had committed 43 million violations of New Mexico’s consumer protection laws. Each violation carried a penalty of up to $5,000.
On Wednesday, Judge Francis J. Mathew of the Santa Fe court issued the landmark penalty, writing that the company and its executives purposefully misled the public.
Most Americans Say AI Is Bad for Society, Oppose More Data Centers: ABC/Post/Ipsos Poll
A majority of Americans say artificial intelligence is a bad thing for society and about two-thirds oppose the construction of new data centers in the U.S., with opposition even higher to building data centers in people’s own communities, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted using Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel.
The poll finds that a 57% majority of Americans say AI is bad for society while 42% say it is good for society. Just 2% say it is “extremely” good for society while 17% say it is extremely bad for society.
Tech leaders have issued warnings about the threat of AI and called for steps to slow it down before it outsmarts humans. Following those warnings, lawmakers have weighed what — if any — action should be taken. President Donald Trump, who has called warnings about AI a “hoax,” met with several tech leaders at the White House last month, saying they signed a “constitution” to police themselves.
EFF Launches Guide to Help Parents and Youth Protect Privacy Online
The Electronic Frontier Foundation reported:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has published “Online Privacy for Parents and Youth,” a new guide to help families protect themselves online. “Parents don’t need to be technology experts to help their children navigate the digital world safely” said EFF Public Interest Technology Director Babette Ngene.
“At EFF, we believe in empowering families with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their digital lives. It’s about meeting families where they are and giving parents the guidance they need to have meaningful conversations with their children about digital safety, based on what works best for their families.”
EFF launches this crucial resource as state and local governments consider enacting well-meaning but ill-advised laws that cut young people off from essential information and experiences, particularly harming vulnerable youth and marginalized groups who often find safety in supportive online communities they can’t access offline. Such laws also entail age gating, which compromises the privacy of all internet users and stifles young users’ ability to learn, grow, and express themselves.
Meta Sued in Australia Over Alleged Harm to Children
Social media giant Meta was hit with a class action lawsuit in Australia on behalf of children and teenagers who allegedly suffered harm over the addictive design features and exposure to harmful content on its platforms Facebook and Instagram.
Australian law firm MinterEllison filed the class action in the country’s Federal Court on Oct. 9. The firm announced the suit on Wednesday, saying it seeks to “recover compensation for both current and former users” of the two Meta social media platforms.
The class action, funded by Sydney-headquartered Litigation Lending Services, was brought in the names of eight unnamed lead applicants. Australia’s Federal Court on Monday ordered a gag on reporting any information that could reveal the applicants’ identities and their statements of claim.
