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Monday, March 17, 2014

San Francisco Sues MeetMe for Violating Unfair Competition Law

The City of San Francisco recently filed a lawsuit against "MeetMe," a social networking site, that claims that the site unlawfully publishes minors' profiles, photos and location data that can enable sexual predators and stalkers to target children.

Specifically, the complaint claims that MeetMe, Inc. is violating California's Unfair Competition Law by relying on legally invalid consent from minors between the ages of 13 and 17 to collect and improperly distribute their real-time geolocation and personal user information.  According to the complaint, about 25 percent of MeetMe.com's user base is under the age of 18.  The lawsuit also claims that MeetMe fails to adequately disclose to users how their personal data is distributed.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to enjoin MeetMe from continuing to engage in activities in California that violate state law; civil penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation found to have occurred in the state; and the City's costs in bringing the case.


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