Vimeo Loses Bid to Arbitrate Illinois Biometric Privacy Claims

Vimeo can’t compel arbitration in an a proposed class action claiming the video platform’s editing application, Magisto, compiled users’ “face prints,” without their written, informed consent in violation of an Illinois privacy law, a federal court in the state said.

Face prints are geographic maps of facial features similar to finger prints in that they are unique to, and can be used to identify, a particular individual. Under the Biometric Information Privacy Act, private entities are required to obtain an individual’s written and informed consent before biometric data of that nature is collected or stored.

Judge Matthew F. Kennelly’s Monday ...