Biometric Privacy Ruling Boosts Cases Against Companies (Corrected)

The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that consumers don’t have to show particular harm to sue companies under the state’s biometric privacy law.

The Jan. 25 ruling opens the door for plaintiffs in more than 100 cases pending in Illinois courts to seek damages. Dozens of restaurants, manufacturers, hospitals, and retailers have been sued over the last three years including United Airlines Inc., Wendy’s International Inc., Hooters Inc., Life Time Fitness Inc., Caesars Entertainment Group, and Roundy’s Supermarkets Inc.

In the case before the court, an Illinois mother complained that Six Flags Entertainment Corp. scanned her 14-year-old son’s thumbprint without ...