Proposed Settlement Reached in Missouri Data Privacy Class Action
KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A proposed settlement has been reached with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. d/b/a AT&T, to resolve a case filed on November 13, 2009 involving the acquisition of databases of information from the Missouri Department of Revenue ("Mo DOR"), which contained personal information of licensed drivers in Missouri. Plaintiffs claimed that the Defendant's alleged actions violated the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. AT&T denies any violation of the DPPA or any liability.
As part of the settlement terms, AT&T will delete the data from the Missouri Department of Revenue from its systems and that it will not obtain the entire Mo DOR driver's license database from Mo DOR in the future unless there is either: (i) a clarification in the law, or (ii) statutory amendment further clarifying that AT&T is allowed to obtain Mo DOR driver's license data in that manner. AT&T also agrees to make a payment of $900,000.00, which includes any Third Party Administration Costs, the costs of Notice, Class Counsel's Attorney's Fees and Costs, Incentive Awards to the named class representatives in the amount of $1,500.00 each, and a donation of the remainder of the $900,000.00 to Legal Aid Western Missouri, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc., Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation, Legal Services of Southern Missouri.
Class members affected by this settlement are all persons whose personal information and/or highly restricted personal information from their State of Missouri motor vehicle or driver's records, as defined by 18 U.S.C. section 2725, was obtained, disclosed, or used by AT&T from November 13, 2005 to the date of execution of the Settlement Agreement.
A hearing is scheduled for June 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the U.S. District Court Western District of Missouri, in Jefferson City to determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate.
Attorney Mitch Burgess noted that class members may obtain more information about the proposed settlement by contacting his law firm, Burgess & Lamb, P.C., in Kansas City, Missouri or by visiting the settlement website at MissouriDPPAsettlement.com.
SOURCE Burgess & Lamb, P.C.
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