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A healthcare firm has agreed to pay millions of dollars to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the disclosure of confidential medical information, invasion of privacy and other violations.
According to the settlement administrator’s portal, MarinHealth Medical Center will set up a $3 million fund to settle the lawsuit that alleged it disregarded the privacy rights of millions of users and visitors of its websites.
MarinHealth Medical Center allegedly achieved this by installing tracking technology or Pixels that allowed third parties, including Facebook’s parent company Meta Platforms, to “intercept Users’ clicks, communications on, and visits of Defendant’s websites.”
“These Pixels collect Users’ confidential and private [protected health information] PHI—including but not limited to details about their medical conditions, treatments and providers sought, and appointments—and send it to Facebook without prior, informed consent.”
The class action lawsuit was filed in March of 2024.
Per the settlement administrator, the class action lawsuit members will receive payment for their claims on a pro rata basis.
“The amount of the Cash Fund Payment will vary depending on the number of valid claims that are submitted. An estimated range for the Cash Fund Payment is $261 or $78 (assuming a 3% to 10% claims rate, respectively), but these are just estimates, not a guarantee.”
As part of the court-mandated remedial measures, MarinHealth Medical Center has also agreed to remove Facebook’s tracking technology on its websites and to avoid installing such technology without notice or consent.
Claims must be submitted by September 24th and a final approval hearing will be conducted on October 20th.
Despite agreeing to settle, MarinHealth Medical Center denies any wrongdoing.
