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Wiretapping via Google Analytics: Smith vs. Google, LLC [pdf] (courtlistener.com)
12 points by 1vuio0pswjnm7 on July 28, 2023 | hide | past | favorite | 2 comments


From the complaint:

"Disclosing tax-return information without consent is a crime. 26 U.S. 7216. Aiding and abetting the unlawful disclosure of tax-return information is a crime. Inspecting unlawfully obtained tax-return information is a crime. 26 U.S. 7213A(a)(2)."

Possibly the tax providers may have broken the law. However Smith v Google is a civil suit, not a criminal one. Further down:

"The Federal Wiretap Act, as amended by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986, prohibits the intentional interception of the contents of any wire, oral, or electronic communications through the use of a device. 18 U.S.C. 2511."

"18 U.S.C. 2520(a) provides a private right of action to any person whose wire, oral or electronic communication is intercepted."

Google has been sued for wiretapping before.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joffe_v._Google,_Inc.


Wouldn't the wiretap charges have to be filed against the tax filing companies rather than Google? It's they who caused the data to be transmitted in the first place.




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