In a feature titled “Big Tech on Trial: Jury Finds Meta Liable for Misusing Women’s Health Data,” Lawdragon highlighted the extraordinary work of Partners Carol C. Villegas, Michael P. Canty, and co-counsel in securing a historic, unanimous jury verdict against Meta Platforms for its role in the unauthorized collection and commercial use of highly personal health data entered into the Flo Health app in violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

The article delves into the team’s bold courtroom strategy—transforming complex technical information into a compelling, digestible narrative that resonated deeply with the jury.  Their approach not only exposed critical privacy violations but also underscored the emotional gravity of the case, culminating in a verdict that marks a watershed moment in the fight for digital accountability.

“I think this is the first time that consumers have been given an opportunity to tell Big Tech how they feel,” said Carol C. Villegas and Michael P. Canty, senior partners and lead trial counsel on the case.  “The people have spoken, and I think it needs to be a wake-up call for these major technology companies.  They need to really change the way they're doing things.”

Lawdragon’s feature highlights the compelling evidence that led to the jury’s landmark decision against Meta Platforms.  Central to the case were five courageous women who took the stand to share deeply personal accounts of their experiences as Flo Health app users—stories that illuminated the human cost of digital privacy violations.  Their voices were amplified by expert testimony in computer coding and artificial intelligence, and reinforced by internal Meta documents.  The trial team revealed how Meta covertly harvested intimate data on menstruation and pregnancy through a “software development kit” it had embedded in Flo Health’s infrastructure—an act the jury found to be intentional.

“When we got the verdict, it was an incredible feeling for all of us sitting at that table,” Carol recalls.  “But I think the most poignant moment was walking out of that courtroom and seeing the women together, holding hands, crying.” “This,” Carol adds, “is a big deal. This case is a very big deal.”

Michael noted, “The problem here is that Meta stole that decision from these women and I think that that really resounded with the jury.  Yes, people may have different levels at which they want to share their sensitive information, but it's up to them.  It's not up to Meta to just unilaterally take it across the board.”

The article further discusses how this verdict has sent shockwaves through the legal community, as it opens new avenues for holding Big Tech accountable.  The jury’s finding of intent could set a precedent for future litigation.