Blockchain.com is a digital asset trading platform that offers both digital wallet services and an exchange. However, before being permitted to place a buy or sell order for cryptocurrencies on its exchange, Labaton alleges that it is violating the privacy of its users by requiring its users to upload photos of themselves and their government issued IDs for biometric verification, without first notifying its users and obtaining written consent.
The biometric data that Labaton alleges Blockchain.com is collecting is in the form of face scans, which are unique to individuals – no two individuals have the same one. Because this data is so unique, there are heightened protections around it. Labaton believes that Blockchain.com has ignored the protections implemented by Illinois lawmakers through its collection of users’ biometric data without first notifying its users and obtaining written consent, which we intend to prove in arbitration.
Labaton is pursuing private arbitration claims against Blockchain.com on behalf of its users whose biometric information was collected without the disclosures, consent, and data protection procedures Illinois law requires. Successful claims may be entitled to compensation of up to $5,000.