Bates White expert analyzes value of biometric data in Texas data privacy case
David DeRamus was retained as the expert on behalf of Texas in Texas v. Meta Platforms, Inc. In this case, the Texas Attorney General alleged that Meta’s use of facial recognition technology in photographs had resulted in “tens of millions of violations” of the state’s privacy protections for personal biometric data.
Dr. DeRamus analyzed the economic value of facial recognition technology to Meta’s business and quantified the number of potential violations of Texas statutes concerning privacy protections for personal biometric data for photographs uploaded between 2010 and late 2021. On July 30, Meta announced a $1.4 billion settlement, the largest settlement ever obtained in an action brought by a single state.
Media coverage highlights the importance of this result for future data privacy actions.