Like the vast majority of other websites, Intel used many of the usual user tracking features. However, as a result, a class action lawsuit was filed against the technology company due to confidentiality issues.

Every Internet user almost daily agrees to the collection of data under agreements. Most of this kind of feedback is usually pretty harmless; basically all websites cache cookies on consumers’ internet browsers just for the sake of user convenience. Sometimes websites use data and analytics to track user movements, consumer traffic, and other forms of data for web development or marketing, such as targeted advertising. But the lawsuit alleges that Intel has gone too far on this issue.

The plaintiff was originally filed by Holly Londers, who filed a complaint with Lake County, Florida. But now the lawsuit has received collective status and is being transferred to the federal district court of Orlando. Intel is said to have gone beyond typical website analytics and tracked keystrokes from specific users. Ms Launders believes that Intel is too zealous to track user data every time they visit its website, which is a breach of privacy.

Holly Launders said that dozens of her visits to the Intel website were tracked using a variety of out-of-the-box metrics. In addition to the typical (and legal) analytics of websites like the number of page visits, time spent on the site, and so on, Intel allegedly used several more sophisticated tracking methods, recording replay of visits to monitor individuals in deeper and more detailed way. It can go, but not be limited to collecting more accurate indicators of mouse movements, keystrokes, scrolling, and so on. All of this data was allegedly collected and analyzed by a third party website Clicktale / Contentsquare.

Federal law in the United States (18 US Code §2511) explicitly states that the recording of communication methods of any kind requires the consent of one party. However, in Florida, the state where the lawsuit was originally filed, Intel had to make it clear to all visitors what data it was tracking.

Intel has certainly gotten into trouble in the past, but has never been responsible for tracking data or violating user privacy. Most recently, the tech company lost a $ 2,18 billion patent infringement lawsuit against VLSI Technology in its processors. In 2011, Intel was forced to pay NVIDIA $ 1,5 billion in the settlement of a dispute over the design of graphics accelerators.

Intel has been rather vague about the confidentiality agreement on its website, without specifying what data and from what sources it collects: “We can also receive information through a partner. In some cases, we combine personal information about individuals that we collect from multiple sources, including directly from you or through the services you use. Intel».

The claim itself only concerns the site, but it can create a legal precedent in relation to any data collection or analytics, including directly on users’ systems.