comScore Privacy Settlement Finalised

In the US, a federal judge has given final approval to comScore's proposed $14m settlement of a class action lawsuit over the unauthorised collection of consumers' personal and confidential information.

District Court Judge James Holderman (Northern District of Illinois) said the ruling balanced the strength of the case and the amount offered with 'an assessment of the likely complexity, length and expense of the litigation.'

Plaintiffs Mike Harris and Jeff Dunstan filed the suit in 2011 claiming that the online audience giant had 'developed highly intrusive and robust data collection software... to surreptitiously siphon exorbitant amounts of sensitive and personal data from consumers' computers'. Each was last week granted $11,000, while the lawyers representing them were awarded more than $4.6m in fees. In addition, an estimated 16,000 panelists who downloaded the firm's software after 2005 will receive between $500 and $700.

comScore's arguments against the case were supported by a number of trade associations, including the DMA, IAB, ANA, 4A's and the US Chamber of Commerce, who said such lawsuits 'implicated foundational Internet communication and commerce technology' and could hinder the development of online trade.

The settlement amount was proposed by comScore in June, along with a commitment to update the information it gives panelists and to ensure companies distributing its software also disclose its terms and conditions.

Web site: www.comscore.com . Thanks to www.mediapost.com for some of the above.