A class-action lawsuit filed in Illinois seeks up to $32.5 billion against Apple, alleging that its iPhone Photos app collects biometric information without users’ informed consent. According to reporting summarized by multiple outlets, the complaint centers on facial recognition functions that may identify and process people shown in users’ photos. The lawsuit alleges that the Photos app scans faces in images and generates a unique biometric template for individuals, described as a “faceprint,” which then becomes part of a user’s photo library experience.
The claim is framed as a privacy issue, distinct from Apple’s Face ID biometric security system. The plaintiffs argue that users are not adequately informed that facial recognition is being used in the Photos app to process biometric data. The complaint also contends that this collection occurs without consent, including for people who appear in photos but are not the device owner.
The sources do not provide details on Apple’s response or the status of the case. The lawsuit’s figures and allegations are contested and reflect the plaintiffs’ claims at this stage.
