Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit in California state court alleging that a data brokerage company unlawfully collected, listed, and sold consumers’ cell phone numbers without their consent. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of Colorado residents whose personal information was allegedly published and monetized through an online directory platform.
According to the complaint, the company operates a publicly accessible database that allows users to search for individuals by name, location, employer, and other identifying information. The lawsuit alleges that users can access personal details, including cell phone numbers and email addresses, through paid subscription plans and credit-based services. The filing further claims that the company never obtained affirmative consent from affected individuals before listing their cell phone numbers for commercial purposes.
The complaint alleges that the company profits by selling access to personal contact information and markets subscription plans that allow customers to reveal and download consumer data. According to the lawsuit, this business model depends on the commercial use of individuals’ personal information, including private cell phone numbers.
The lawsuit further contends that the unauthorized disclosure of consumer’s cell phone numbers exposes individuals to increased risks of unwanted solicitations, scams, harassment, and other privacy-related harms. Plaintiff alleges that the company’s practices violate Colorado consumer protection laws that prohibit listing cell phone numbers in a directory for commercial purposes without the owner’s consent.
Why This Matters: Personal information has significant value and consumers increasingly expect companies to safeguard their data. When businesses allegedly collect and sell private contact information without permission, individuals may lose control over their personal data and become more vulnerable to fraud, unwanted communications, and privacy violations. This lawsuit seeks to protect consumer privacy rights and hold companies accountable for the unauthorized commercialization of personal information.