A federal judge in California has dismissed a class action lawsuit that was proposed against Facebook that accused the company of dishonestly using the names and presences of minors who use the social network.
The primary issue was Facebook’s use of minors’ photos and names in advertising that revolved around concerns about privacy. The lawsuit was originally filed in Illinois in 2011, and set out to represent all minors who used Facebook that had their names used in advertisements.
“We are pleased with the court’s ruling affirming that Facebook’s terms apply to all users and establish consent to publish their names and profile photos near related sponsored content,” Sandeep Solanki, Facebook’s associate general counsel according to Reuters.
Facebook claimed in court filings that it only had taken information that its users voluntarily shared with their friends on Facebook and republished it to only those friends, which sometimes had an advertisement.
The plaintiffs alleged that since minors in California aren’t old enough to make contracts that the ‘statements of rights and responsibilities’ that governs the use of the site could not be enforceable.
Sandeep Solanki disagreed, saying “”Plaintiffs have offered no facts or legal theories upon which they would be entitled to a declaration that the statements of rights and responsibilities are unenforceable.”
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