It isn’t easy to articulate just how much the world of business has changed in the past thirty years. Since the introduction of the World Wide Web in 1993, the internet has evolved from something viewed skeptically to something that is now deeply ingrained in the way most people live their day-to-day lives. To this end, as massive a cultural shift as the internet has inspired, legal regulations and legislation surrounding it have struggled to keep pace.
Now, as digital technologies become increasingly sophisticated, data breaches and digital surveillance have become far more common. As a result, data privacy class action lawsuits are emerging as a robust legal mechanism for consumers to hold corporations accountable for their actions. Law offices such as Bursor & Fisher, P.A., aspire to do precisely that, introducing progressive and forward-thinking policies that aim to combat these digital threats.
The Founding of the Internet
In the early years of the internet, it resembled a digital Wild West. Just as the western portion of the United States appeared to offer abundant opportunities and potential riches during its heyday, so too did the internet in these formative years. There was minimal government oversight at the time, resulting in a largely unregulated environment in the open digital space.
As people, and specifically corporations, began to take the internet’s potential more seriously, regulations followed. However, that disparity between the current state of technology and the rules attempting to manage it has never really gone away. A blatant example of this today is AI, with generators having been available for unrestricted public use for years. Still, governing entities are only just beginning to scratch the surface of properly regulating their use.
Due to this lack of regulations, many individuals have often been left vulnerable and defenseless against online attacks. These violations of privacy can feel invasive and leave people wondering if there is anywhere left to turn for protection, which is precisely why the role of law offices in setting these precedents has become so essential.
The Explosion of Data Privacy Litigation
Consumers are increasingly turning to courts under laws such as the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) and the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). Major tech companies have faced class action lawsuits concerning unauthorized tracking, biometric data storage, and online surveillance practices.
How Data Privacy Laws Are Enforced Through Class Actions
Legal frameworks, such as the BIPA and VPPA, as well as state-level consumer protection laws, enable groups of affected users to pursue damages. Class actions combine claims, making it economically feasible to contest data misuse.
Notable Cases and Settlements
Lawsuits against companies such as Google and Facebook have resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements under BIPA. The VPPA has been invoked against streaming services and media outlets for alleged violations of user data rights.
The Role of Specialized Law Firms
Successful outcomes require firms with extensive experience in class action strategy, regulatory law, and technology-specific legal challenges. Many of these firms operate on a contingency basis, minimizing financial risk for plaintiffs.
What Consumers Can Do
-
Stay informed about their digital rights.
-
Join active class actions or submit claims through settlement websites.
-
Use legal recourse if personal data has been collected or shared without consent.
Final Thoughts
The wheels of progress turn swiftly, and never before have they moved at such a breakneck pace as they are right now. Digital tools are advancing at an unprecedented rate. While this innovation is often beneficial for large businesses and those seeking to profit from it, it more often leaves individuals helpless and defenseless against its misuse.
Fortunately, law offices are beginning to take a stand against these corporations and give individuals a meaningful path forward in the aftermath of such assaults on their privacy.
This article appears in Aug 6-12, 2025.