Overview
Between November 10-11, four news outlets quoted Commercial Litigation and Arbitration partner Leigh Mallon on the landmark Lloyd v. Google decision: ITPro - a leading news hub for IT professionals, City A.M. - a London-based business newspaper, UK Tech News - a UK-based tech journal, and TechCentral.ie - an Ireland-based tech magazine.
Specifically, the articles discuss the UK Supreme Court’s rejection of a £3.2 billion “class action” lawsuit against Google LLC (Lloyd v. Google). The dispute, which dates back to a period between 2011 and 2012, alleges that Google secretly collected personal data from 5.4 million UK-based iPhone users and profited from that data collection, therefore violating section 4 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (UK). In what has been described as “a significant win for Google”, the UK Supreme Court allowed Google’s appeal and dismissed the class action in its entirety.
Mallon told City A.M. that the decision means "…it is almost impossible for individuals to bring private damages claims because the legal costs of doing so will far exceed any damages that might be recovered." Adding, "…the Supreme Court's landmark judgment rejects the Claimants' argument that the loss of control of personal data has an intrinsic value capable of compensation."
He expanded upon those comments for ITPro, noting that the ruling, "is a welcome development for data controllers the world over" but noted that “data controllers will continue to face increasing activity from supervisory authorities."
UK Tech News and TechCentral.ie then published articles featuring Mallon's quotes from the City A.M. and ITPro pieces.
The full articles can be read at ITPro, City A.M., UK Tech News, and TechCentral.ie.
