$115M Oracle privacy class action settlement

Oracle to pay $115 million to settle privacy class action lawsuit

Oracle has agreed to pay $115 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that the company violated users' privacy by tracking their online activity without their consent.

The settlement, which was approved by a federal judge in California on Tuesday, resolves a lawsuit that was filed in 2018 by a group of Oracle users who alleged that the company's "Real User Monitoring" (RUM) tool collected their personal information without their knowledge or consent.

The RUM tool is a software program that Oracle installs on its customers' websites to track user activity. Oracle has said that the RUM tool is used to improve the performance of its products and services.

However, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged that the RUM tool collected more data than necessary to improve performance, and that Oracle did not adequately disclose to users how their data was being collected and used.

The settlement includes a number of provisions designed to protect users' privacy, including:

• Oracle will no longer collect user activity data without their consent.
• Oracle will provide users with clear and concise notice about how their data is being collected and used.
• Oracle will allow users to opt out of data collection.
• Oracle will delete user activity data after 13 months.

The settlement is a significant victory for users' privacy rights. It sends a message to companies that they cannot collect and use users' personal information without their consent.

What does the settlement mean for Oracle users?

The settlement means that Oracle users will have more control over their personal information. Oracle will no longer collect user activity data without their consent, and users will have the right to opt out of data collection.

Oracle will also provide users with clear and concise notice about how their data is being collected and used. This will help users to make informed decisions about whether or not they want to use Oracle products and services.

What should Oracle users do now?

Oracle users should review the settlement and make sure that they understand their rights. Users can also opt out of data collection by visiting Oracle's website.

The deadline to opt out of data collection is October 31, 2023.