Amazon Hit With Suit Over Collection of Consumers’ Location Data

Amazon.com Inc. and Amazon Advertising LLC collected the geolocation data of millions of consumers using apps embedded with the Amazon Ads software development kit without their knowledge or consent in violation of California privacy laws, a proposed federal class action said.

Felix Kolotinsky alleged that software developers embedded the Amazon Ads SDK on tens of thousands of apps, allowing Amazon and its advertising partners to siphon sensitive data from unsuspecting consumers and build comprehensive profiles of them for the purpose of targeting them with ads.

The lawsuit is the latest in a surge of litigation targeting the collection and sale of consumers’ location data generated by their cell phones and in-car devices. Prominent defendants include Google LLC, Allstate Inc., Securly Inc., Amplitude Inc., and Kochava Inc.

Information collected by Amazon included time-stamped location data revealing where consumers live and work and potentially exposing their religious affiliations, sexual orientation, and medical conditions, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Amazon didn’t respond immediately to a request for comment.

Amazon didn’t inform users it was collecting their location data through the software development kit, obtain their consent, or give them an opportunity to opt in or opt out of its data-collection practices, the complaint said.

“Ultimately, the Amazon Ads SDK has allowed Amazon to secretly create a detailed log of plaintiff’s and the putative class’s precise movement patterns, along with a dossier of their likes and interests, all without their consent or permission,” the complaint said

Kolotinsky seeks to represent a class of California residents who used an app on their mobile device that was embedded with the Amazon Ads SDK that failed to disclose “Amazon Ads” in any of the app’s notices or disclosures.

The complaint brings claims of violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act and the Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act.

Kolotinsky is seeking liquidated damages, disgorgement of profits, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and injunctive relief.

Edelson PC represents Kolotinsky and the proposed class.

The case is Kolotinsky v. Amazon.com Inc., N.D. Cal., No. 3:25-cv-00931, complaint 1/29/25.