Facebook’s Nominal Damages in Computer Fraud Case Upheld

Facebook will get $79,640 in damages in its successful Computer Fraud and Abuse Act suit against a social media aggregator.

The district court’s calculation, which was based on Facebook’s evidence, was proper, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said Jan. 18 in an unpublished opinion.

Power Ventures Inc. accessed Facebook users’ data and initiated form e-mails and other electronic messages promoting its website. Power had implied permission from users to access their data, but when Facebook learned about Power’s activities, it sent a cease and desist letter.

Power Ventures circumvented Facebook’s efforts to shut down its access ...