In a striking legal development, a class action lawsuit has been filed against a major technology company for allegedly violating privacy laws by secretly collecting sensitive personal data from users of a government website. Katherine Wilson initiated the complaint on April 14, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, accusing Google LLC of deploying hidden tracking codes on the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to unlawfully obtain and exploit users' protected personal information.
The case centers around allegations that Google used its Google Analytics and DoubleClick tags to gather personal data from individuals visiting the DMV website for various services related to disability parking placards. According to the complaint, this clandestine operation allowed Google to access private communications between users and the DMV without their consent. The plaintiff argues that Google's actions were designed to feed its advertising business by circumventing modern web browsers' privacy protections and collecting vast amounts of data for commercial gain.
Wilson claims that neither she nor other class members were informed about Google's tracking activities or consented to them. The lawsuit asserts that Google's conduct constitutes unlawful wiretapping under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), specifically violating Section 631(a) which prohibits unauthorized interception and use of communications. The plaintiff seeks statutory penalties, damages, and injunctive relief to prevent further violations.
The complaint details how Google allegedly amassed personal information such as names, email addresses, and disability status through its tracking mechanisms embedded within the DMV's online portal. This data was reportedly used by Google to enhance its advertising services by creating detailed user profiles for targeted marketing campaigns. The plaintiff emphasizes that such practices infringe upon individuals' reasonable expectations of privacy and calls for accountability from one of the world's leading tech giants.
Representing Wilson in this legal battle are attorneys Roland Tellis, David Fernandes, and Adam Tamburelli from Baron & Budd P.C., based in Encino, California. The case is identified as Case No. 25CV463465 in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara.