US News
Supreme Court hears case on 1988 video privacy law's reach
Justices heard arguments in a lawsuit alleging Paramount shared a plaintiff's video-watching history with Facebook without consent.
The short version
- The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on how far a 1988 video privacy law reaches.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Michael Salazar claims Paramount shared his video-watching history with Facebook without consent for targeted advertising.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Federal appeals courts are split on whether the law's definition of consumer is broad or limited to audiovisual content.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- No ruling has been reported, and consumer advocates say the law was drafted broadly to keep pace with technology.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Key facts
- Congress enacted the Video Privacy Protection Act in 1988 after a journalist published Robert Bork's movie rental history during his Senate hearings.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on the extent to which companies must protect customers' video-viewing data.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Michael Salazar claims Paramount disclosed his video-watching history to Facebook without consent, enabling targeted advertising.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Two federal appeals courts define a consumer broadly, while two others limit the definition to goods and services with audiovisual content.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- No court ruling has been reported; the case remains at the oral argument stage in the available reporting.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Salazar's allegations against Paramount are unproven, and this story does not include Paramount's response, which is absent from the verified ledger.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Consumer advocates' view that the law was drafted broadly to adapt to technology is an opinion, not a court finding.[ABC News · Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Blockbuster-era law governing privacy of video rentals gets a fresh look from the Supreme CourtAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- Blockbuster-era law governing privacy of video rentals gets a fresh look from the Supreme CourtABC News - US News