On August 1, 2025, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP (Labaton) secured a historic jury verdict in a landmark data privacy case against tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Labaton served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs, a class of Flo Health app users, who alleged that Meta knowingly recorded and exploited sensitive women’s health data in violation of California privacy laws.
The jury found Meta liable for its role in the unauthorized collection and commercial use of highly personal health data, which plaintiffs argued was used to strengthen Meta’s targeted advertising business. The case is one of the first times a jury has held a major technology company accountable for its handling of consumer health information.
“This verdict sends a clear message about the protection of digital health data and the responsibilities of Big Tech,” said Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, lead trial attorneys in the case. “Companies like Meta that covertly profit from users’ most intimate information must be held accountable. Today’s outcome reinforces the fundamental right to privacy—especially when it comes to sensitive health data.”
Labaton brought forward the powerful testimonies of five courageous women who stood united in court, daring to challenge Big Tech. In front of the jury, they shared their deeply personal stories and the intimate health data they entered into the Flo Health app, including details about their menstrual cycles, sexual activity, and pregnancies. Their voices represented not just their own accounts of being unknowingly violated, but the silent outrage of millions of women whose private lives were turned into data points without consent.
“This case was about more than just data—it was about dignity, trust, and accountability,” said Villegas. “The jury’s decision affirms that no company, no matter how large, is above the law when it comes to protecting consumers’ most intimate information.”
Plaintiffs’ counsel presented internal Meta communications and technical documentation suggesting that Meta was fully aware it was receiving confidential health data from third-party app Flo Health and actively used it for ad-targeting purposes. Evidence also included messages among Meta employees that appeared to mock the nature of the data being collected, raising questions about the company’s culture and attitude toward user privacy.
“This is a landmark moment in the effort to safeguard digital privacy rights,” said Canty. “Our clients entrusted their most sensitive information to a health app, only to have it exploited by one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.”
The lawsuit initially involved multiple defendants, including Flo Health, Google, and Flurry. The plaintiffs reached settlements with those parties prior to verdict. The jury verdict applies solely to Meta.
“Our team has invested significant time and resources into pursuing this trial, and we are proud to have delivered this result for consumers,” said Labaton Chairman Eric J. Belfi. “This verdict reflects Labaton’s commitment to litigating, and winning, groundbreaking cases that protect individual rights in the digital age.”
The case was led at trial by Labaton Keller Sucharow Senior Partners Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, who served as lead trial counsel and were instrumental in securing the landmark verdict against Meta. The Firm also recognizes the exceptional contributions of the California trial team: Jake Bissell-Linsk, Danielle Izzo, Gloria J. Medina, David Saldamando, Tom G. Hoffman, Jr., Nathan Donlon, Keri Judd, and Vivienne Vibar. Their dedication and skill were vital to this historic result.
On August 1, 2025, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP (Labaton) secured a historic jury verdict in a landmark data privacy case against tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Labaton served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs, a class of Flo Health app users, who alleged that Meta knowingly recorded and exploited sensitive women’s health data in violation of California privacy laws.
The jury found Meta liable for its role in the unauthorized collection and commercial use of highly personal health data, which plaintiffs argued was used to strengthen Meta’s targeted advertising business. The case is one of the first times a jury has held a major technology company accountable for its handling of consumer health information.
“This verdict sends a clear message about the protection of digital health data and the responsibilities of Big Tech,” said Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, lead trial attorneys in the case. “Companies like Meta that covertly profit from users’ most intimate information must be held accountable. Today’s outcome reinforces the fundamental right to privacy—especially when it comes to sensitive health data.”
Labaton brought forward the powerful testimonies of five courageous women who stood united in court, daring to challenge Big Tech. In front of the jury, they shared their deeply personal stories and the intimate health data they entered into the Flo Health app, including details about their menstrual cycles, sexual activity, and pregnancies. Their voices represented not just their own accounts of being unknowingly violated, but the silent outrage of millions of women whose private lives were turned into data points without consent.
“This case was about more than just data—it was about dignity, trust, and accountability,” said Villegas. “The jury’s decision affirms that no company, no matter how large, is above the law when it comes to protecting consumers’ most intimate information.”
Plaintiffs’ counsel presented internal Meta communications and technical documentation suggesting that Meta was fully aware it was receiving confidential health data from third-party app Flo Health and actively used it for ad-targeting purposes. Evidence also included messages among Meta employees that appeared to mock the nature of the data being collected, raising questions about the company’s culture and attitude toward user privacy.
“This is a landmark moment in the effort to safeguard digital privacy rights,” said Canty. “Our clients entrusted their most sensitive information to a health app, only to have it exploited by one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.”
The lawsuit initially involved multiple defendants, including Flo Health, Google, and Flurry. The plaintiffs reached settlements with those parties prior to verdict. The jury verdict applies solely to Meta.
“Our team has invested significant time and resources into pursuing this trial, and we are proud to have delivered this result for consumers,” said Labaton Chairman Eric J. Belfi. “This verdict reflects Labaton’s commitment to litigating, and winning, groundbreaking cases that protect individual rights in the digital age.”
The case was led at trial by Labaton Keller Sucharow Senior Partners Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, who served as lead trial counsel and were instrumental in securing the landmark verdict against Meta. The Firm also recognizes the exceptional contributions of the California trial team: Jake Bissell-Linsk, Danielle Izzo, Gloria J. Medina, David Saldamando, Tom G. Hoffman, Jr., Nathan Donlon, Keri Judd, and Vivienne Vibar. Their dedication and skill were vital to this historic result.
On August 1, 2025, Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP (Labaton) secured a historic jury verdict in a landmark data privacy case against tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. (Meta) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Labaton served as co-counsel for the plaintiffs, a class of Flo Health app users, who alleged that Meta knowingly recorded and exploited sensitive women’s health data in violation of California privacy laws.
The jury found Meta liable for its role in the unauthorized collection and commercial use of highly personal health data, which plaintiffs argued was used to strengthen Meta’s targeted advertising business. The case is one of the first times a jury has held a major technology company accountable for its handling of consumer health information.
“This verdict sends a clear message about the protection of digital health data and the responsibilities of Big Tech,” said Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, lead trial attorneys in the case. “Companies like Meta that covertly profit from users’ most intimate information must be held accountable. Today’s outcome reinforces the fundamental right to privacy—especially when it comes to sensitive health data.”
Labaton brought forward the powerful testimonies of five courageous women who stood united in court, daring to challenge Big Tech. In front of the jury, they shared their deeply personal stories and the intimate health data they entered into the Flo Health app, including details about their menstrual cycles, sexual activity, and pregnancies. Their voices represented not just their own accounts of being unknowingly violated, but the silent outrage of millions of women whose private lives were turned into data points without consent.
“This case was about more than just data—it was about dignity, trust, and accountability,” said Villegas. “The jury’s decision affirms that no company, no matter how large, is above the law when it comes to protecting consumers’ most intimate information.”
Plaintiffs’ counsel presented internal Meta communications and technical documentation suggesting that Meta was fully aware it was receiving confidential health data from third-party app Flo Health and actively used it for ad-targeting purposes. Evidence also included messages among Meta employees that appeared to mock the nature of the data being collected, raising questions about the company’s culture and attitude toward user privacy.
“This is a landmark moment in the effort to safeguard digital privacy rights,” said Canty. “Our clients entrusted their most sensitive information to a health app, only to have it exploited by one of the world’s most powerful tech companies.”
The lawsuit initially involved multiple defendants, including Flo Health, Google, and Flurry. The plaintiffs reached settlements with those parties prior to verdict. The jury verdict applies solely to Meta.
“Our team has invested significant time and resources into pursuing this trial, and we are proud to have delivered this result for consumers,” said Labaton Chairman Eric J. Belfi. “This verdict reflects Labaton’s commitment to litigating, and winning, groundbreaking cases that protect individual rights in the digital age.”
The case was led at trial by Labaton Keller Sucharow Senior Partners Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, who served as lead trial counsel and were instrumental in securing the landmark verdict against Meta. The Firm also recognizes the exceptional contributions of the California trial team: Jake Bissell-Linsk, Danielle Izzo, Gloria J. Medina, David Saldamando, Tom G. Hoffman, Jr., Nathan Donlon, Keri Judd, and Vivienne Vibar. Their dedication and skill were vital to this historic result.
