iPhones and iPads with the iOS4, the operating system used in those products for about a year now, will track your location and send it to Apple twice a day, according to the Apple location tracking lawsuit.  Users can disable the reporting functionality of the tracking system, which means the location data won’t be sent to Apple.  However, disturbing to consumers is that the products will continue to collect your location data, even if it’s not sent to Apple.  Then, anyone with access to your iPhone or iPad and a computer can download that data.

About one third to one half of iPhone users in the U.S. could be part of this Apple location tracking class action lawsuit.  Even more plaintiffs could be involved it one source is correct in saying the hidden database file that collects your location information has been around since 2007, rather than in just the past year.

Computer fraud and consumer fraud laws have been violated, according to lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Apple location tracking lawsuit.

The window of opportunity, which is the main bone of contention in the Apple class action lawsuit,  lasts about fifteen minutes and the in-app purchases include things like more super powers for a game character, or to unlock bigger, stronger weapons.  The purchases fall under something called Game Currency.  It’s basically a purchase of virtual goods, whether it be Smurfberries, Fish Bucks, or weapons in the Zombie Cafe game.

After downloading a free Apple game, virtual goods are available to purchase while playing the game.  And during the first fifteen minutes of the game, there is no password required in order to charge these virtual goods to Mom’s or Dad’s credit card.  The Apple class action lawsuit wants that changed and indeed, Apple in app purchases now require that password.

Facebook Like Buttons Lawsuit

Facebook is facing yet another class action lawsuit, this time over its “Like” buttons.  The Facebook like buttons lawsuit alleges the site uses pictures of minors for commercial gain, without parental permission.  The class action was filed in Los Angeles, California today, August 28, 2010 on behalf of David Cohen and Shelby Orland, minors, and their guardians.  Facebook will content that the nature of “Like” buttons and how they’re used is in the terms of the Facebook agreement, which every user must electronically “sign” in order to get a Facebook account.

But the loophole lies in California law, which is very specific about using names and images of minors for profit.  To use a minor’s name or likeness for advertising, one must get the parent’s consent in order to get the minor’s consent.  Plaintiffs are arguing that Facebook did not get parental permission, so getting minors’ permission doesn’t count for anything.

As seen in another Facebook class action lawsuit, Facebook states it will vigorously fight the allegations.  One possible outcome of this Facebook class action is that minors, or those under eighteen, might have to get parental permission to sign up for a Facebook account.  Parents would then be giving permission for their images and names to be used to advertise products and the Facebook website itself.

It’s claimed in the Facebook class action lawsuit that search engines come into play when someone searches on a name.  A link to their facebook page will come up in the search results, encouraging the user to sign up for an account.   In a nutshell, that illustrates how Facebook is using teenagers’ names to advertise itself.

The case started back in 2007, when USA Today broke the story that service contracts were not what they appeared to be on the surface.  This July, three years later, it’s finally become a class action lawsuit.  Anyone who purchased their iphone between June 29, 2007 and now can become part of the class action.

The GE Microwave class action lawsuit states that the units are “unreasonably dangerous and unsuitable for their intended use.”  The control panel gets too hot and starts fires, essentially.  In the Ohio case, the local news station reported the fire and the fire department’s statement that the microwave had started the fire, to GE themselves.  GE’s response to the news channel was that there was indeed a fault in the electrical contol panel of these microwaves.  They changed their story a few hours later, saying they needed to look into the matter more carefully before admitting anything. 

This was in 2005, and just this May of 2009 a GE Microwave Class Action Lawsuit was filed in Federal Court.  There are now 20 victims of GE Microwave fires.  The lawsuit also claims that 20 different GE Microwave models are included in the class action lawsuit.  If you think you have a problematic GE Microwave, you can call Consumer Product Safety Commission at this number: 1-800-638-2772.