We knew lawsuits would arise over Carrier IQ. Just a day after the Senate launched an investigation into the debacle, Carrier IQ, Samsung and HTC have been nailed with class action lawsuits that could cost them hundreds of millions of dollars.
As we expected, the plaintiffs go after Carrier IQ as well as Samsung and HTC for violating the Federal Wiretap Act. The suits allege that as customers were using their phones, the handset makers were surreptitiously monitoring and collecting private information without permission. If they lose, the companies could face penalties of $100 for every day that violation took place. Ouch. So far no carriers have been targeted by suits, but that can't be a long way off. [Paidcontent.org via Techmeme]