InfoTracer Misused Californians’ Names and Personas, Suit Says

Infotracer.com’s owner faces a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the website uses Californians’ names, personas, and personal data without their consent to advertise for its subscription service for background reports containing “scandalous, embarrassing” information on people in user searches.

InfoPay Inc.'s site publishes “teaser profiles” displaying individuals’ personal information in violation of California’s Right of Publicity statute, which prohibits using someone’s name or likeness for commercial purposes without prior consent, according to the complaint filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. State misappropriation of a name or likeness and unfair competition allegations are the ...