Facebook Gets “Like” Lawsuit

A Colorado man filed a class-action lawsuit against Facebook claiming the social network allegedly falsely concocting "Likes" and told his Facebook friends, according to a report.

Anthony Ditirro wants $750 from Facebook for stating he was shown to have "Liked" USA Today in an ad, but he claims he never "Liked" the news outlet. Every other user in the suit is also seeking $750 from Facebook, according to GigaOm. 

In the complaint filed in San Jose, Ditirro states a a friend told him about a Facebook ad that shows Ditirro “Liked” a USA Today food section. Ditirro claims he never clicked the "Like" button on USA Today's Facebook page or visited its website.
 
“Although PLAINTIFF has nothing negative to say about USA TODAY newspapers, PLAINTIFF is not an avid reader of USA TODAY, nor does PLAINTIFF endorse the newspaper,” the complaint read.
 
These "phantom Likes" violate privacy and publicity rights, according to the article, and California law allows people to sue for $750 in damages. They can sue for more if someone uses their image without permission.
 
The lawsuit isn't the first for Facebook, and is likely the reason for the end of its Sponsored Stories (which was the catalyst for a $20 million lawsuit under the same law) which will be shuttered in April. Perhaps this may signal a change for the social network? 
 
 
 
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