H&R Block Unit Loses Bid to Arbitrate Meta Info Sharing Claims

H&R Block Inc. lost its bid to force consumers to arbitrate privacy claims over tracking technology embedded in the tax preparation firm’s website rather than pursuing them as a proposed class action in federal court.

The arbitration provisions in the HRB Digital LLC online services agreement are unenforceable because they are procedurally and substantively unconscionable, Judge Edward M. Chen of the US District Court for the Northern District of California said Monday. The H&R Block subsidiary runs the company’s online tax preparation and filing products.

Lead plaintiffs Pedro Rios Jr. and Christian Marquez alleged in their complaint that HRB incorporated ...