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Court Misunderstands Internet Tracking in Video Privacy Case

The Third Circuit today rejected claims brought against Nickelodeon under the Video Privacy Protection Act, holding that IP and MAC addresses are not “personally identifiable information.” The opinion contradicts a First Circuit decision from earlier this year, which found that a unique Android ID and GPS coordinates constituted PII under the VPPA. The circuit split increases the possibility of U.S. Supreme Court review. The Court did find that plaintiffs could sue under state privacy law. EPIC filed an amicus brief, arguing that Congress defined PII as “purposefully broad to ensure that the underlying intent of the Act—to safeguard personal information against unlawful disclosure—is preserved as technology evolves.”


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