Samsung Poised to Win Biometric Privacy Appeal Over Face-Tagging

Consumers challenging Samsung Electronics America Inc.‘s alleged collection of biometric face data through its photo gallery smartphone application appeared to struggle Tuesday to convince a Seventh Circuit panel to revive their suit.

The plaintiffs, who appealed from the dismissal of their proposed class action, argued the data collection is covered by Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act. The app, pre-installed on Samsung devices, recognizes people through face-tagging after users take photographs of themselves and others with their phones.

Oral arguments before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit centered around the extent of control Samsung had over users’ ...