Did you know chatbots may be sharing your conversations with others?

Chatbots on websites could be eavesdropping on your chats without your consent. Find out how California’s new Consumer Privacy Act (CIPA) can protect the online privacy of California residents.

The California Invasion of Privacy Act – CIPA

CIPA makes it illegal for anyone to listen to your electronic communications without your permission. Many websites keep track of your conversations with their chatbots. Some may also be sharing them with third parties. Often, without your knowledge or consent.

Section 631(a) of CIPA prohibits “wiretapping”, or the act of intercepting, listening to, or reading your electronic communications without your consent. Additionally, CIPA also prohibits using such any information from your electronic communications in any manner, or sharing it with a third party, without your consent.

A person who illegally taps, records, or receives your electronic communications is liable under California Penal Code Section 632.7. Furthermore, CIPA also makes it illegal for anyone to help in intercepting or recording your private communications without consent.

Conversations with a chatbot on a website are also protected under CIPA as electronic communications.

CIPA provides a remedy for Californians whose chats were illegally recorded or shared. Each time your chats were recorded or shared, may be a separate violation under CIPA.

If you’re a California resident and your privacy has been violated, you can file a Class Action for up to $1,000 per incident.

If you suspect that your chat has been recorded without your knowledge or consent, please contact us. Your right to privacy is worth fighting for.

Why would a company record your interactions with a chatbot? What could they gain from it?

Consumer interactions are a goldmine for businesses. Especially in the era of digital marketing that we now live in.

Any consumer-facing website where you interact with chatbots can learn a great deal about your habits and preferences. As a result, many modern companies are employing cutting-edge technology to glean insights from these conversations. For example, businesses can learn incredibly valuable commercial information, such as:

Concerns that consumers are facing with a service or product offered.
Ideas for novel services, products, or uses.
Consumers wants or needs, which may incorporate their individual tastes.

Moreover, a variety of third-party companies offer such analytics services to a wide range of businesses. Not only that, but it’s possible that these businesses are monitoring your conversations in real time.

They’re watching you. Are you aware of it?

According to a recent study, about eight out of ten Americans believe organizations do not collect or disclose online consumer data. While seven out of ten believe they remain anonymous while using the internet.

Are they eavesdropping on your chats too?

If you talked to a website chatbot but don’t remember giving consent to record or share your conversations, your privacy may have been violated as well.

And you may be eligible to file a claim under CIPA to recover upto $1000 for each violation under CIPA.

Reach out to us at ClassActionNews, and we will investigate it for you.