Kansas man sues Facebook over privacy issues

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Published: 10/06/2011 1:15 pm

Updated: 10/06/2011 10:19 pm

WICHITA, Kansas (AP) -- A Kansas man has sued Facebook, claiming the social media company violated wiretap laws with a tracking cookie that records users' web browsing history after they log off the site.

John Graham, a 42-year-old Leawood lawyer, is the named plaintiff in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Kansas. His suit seeks class action status for the 150 million users of Facebook in the United States.

The lawsuit seeks an injunction prohibiting Facebook from intercepting electronic information from users when they are not logged in.

Experts say Graham faces an uphill battle because courts have dismissed similar lawsuits alleging wiretap violations. In case that have been litigated, plaintiffs have often been unable to prove any monetary harm.

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AdorableHeart - 10/7/2011 1:18 PM

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Actually im in my 20's in great shape and have never had any problems so far, I am not so lazy that going to my bank to do business I have to sit on my a** and do it and wait for someone to hack my account. In 10 years I'll be one of very few that doesn't have ID theft happen to them. I also do not and will never have a credit card, Most people only use them because they are broke, can't afford what they want to buy, and are in great debt, I have my credit built up in other ways and its great, I laugh every time I hear people talk about their debt, its hilarious!!! Im smart enough and have enough self control to save money for things I want. :) LOL LOL Oh and Im a web designer I understand computers greatly, which is why I understand how easy it is for a criminal to get away with things online. I bet you don't know how to protect your email! I do, no one can read my email address it comes across as ****************** :)

citizenB - 10/6/2011 10:07 PM

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If you don't have your business on a computer by now, you are over a half century old and not willing to accept that the world is changing. Computers are a part of everyday life for the current generation and it is not going away thus the reason for strict privacy policies for those that do not wish to understand computers better.

AdorableHeart - 10/6/2011 8:52 PM

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Personally if your whole life is on your computer, you are asking for identity theft anyway, rather its facebook or any other site you have an account with or submit your email to. Hell this KSN site could have hackers get personal information just from our emails. Dont have personal business such as ID, bank accounts ect.. on your computer!!

citizenB - 10/6/2011 8:13 PM

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This is one time people need to stand behind a lawyer. Sounds to me like a guy trying to stand up for the rights of the entire facebook community to protect privacy that is being illegally pirated on the Inet. People that don't support this are also people that would be looking to sue any rock they can turn over when their identity is stolen right from their own computer. For people that do not know, this 'wiretapping' is also known as spyware that everyone should be familiar with.