Crosner Legal has filed a class action lawsuit in California state court alleging that a data broker unlawfully collected and sold consumers’ personal information, including private cell phone numbers, without consent. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of Colorado residents whose information was allegedly published and monetized through an online directory.
According to the complaint, the company operates a publicly accessible platform that allows users to search for individuals and access detailed personal information, including phone numbers, employment data, and email addresses. The lawsuit alleges that consumers’ cell phone numbers were listed and sold for commercial purposes without their knowledge or permission, in violation of consumer privacy laws.
The filing further claims that the company profits from this data by offering subscription-based access and paid tools that allow users to reveal and download personal contact information. As shown in examples within the complaint, users can search individuals and unlock sensitive details through a credit-based system, demonstrating how personal data is allegedly monetized.
Plaintiffs allege that this conduct violates the Colorado Prevention of Telemarketing Fraud Act, which prohibits listing cell phone numbers in a directory for commercial purposes without prior consent. The lawsuit also highlights the risks associated with widespread data exposure, including increased vulnerability to scams, harassment, and identity theft.
Why This Matters: Personal data, especially cell phone numbers, is widely considered private information. When companies allegedly collect and sell this data without consent, it can expose individuals to unwanted contact, fraud, and privacy violations. This lawsuit seeks to protect consumer privacy rights and hold companies accountable for the unauthorized use of personal information.