As for Omnicell and the Biometric Information Privacy Act of Illinois in 2022: What Happened?
Illinois has a different law, the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), to protect residents’ fingerprints, facial scans, and other biometric data. In 2022, rumblings of a lawsuit against Omnicell, a healthcare technology company, were heard involving BIPA. So, what actually happened there?
There was never a formal court battle in 2022. However, Omnicell disclosed its involvement in a BIPA class-action lawsuit in 2019. While details are sketchy, this at least underscores the ongoing significance of BIPA in Illinois.
BIPA ensures companies must have your permission before they can make a copy of your unique biographic data. The 2019 lawsuit suggests Omnicell may have harvested biographical information from Illinois citizens without following correct BIPA procedures.
Here’s what’s interesting:
As of 2022, no public update was posted on the court resolution. There could be several reasons for this, including that the case might still be winding its way through the legal system, a settlement could have been quietly reached between parties in the case, or the lawsuit was dropped altogether.
We can only say for sure once there’s confirmation. However, we know that BIPA remains a hot topic in Illinois, and Omnicell and other companies must tread carefully regarding residents’ biometric data.
FAQs related to Omnicell Lawsuit Illinois.
What recourse do I have against Omnicell, even in this case, under BIPA?
It depends. BIPA has a narrow window for claims. You would need to speak to a BIPA attorney to determine your eligibility.
How am I going to tell if Omnicell has collected my biometric data?
Omnicell Privacy policy regarding their data collection process: https://ogletree.com/insights-resources/blog-posts/first-jury-verdict-issued-in-illinois-biometric-privacy-act-class-action/. If you are uncertain, call them directly.
What is the Remedy for a BIPA Violation?
BIPA secures remedies of a magnitude that can run into the thousands of dollars per violation.
Does BIPA matter anywhere beyond Illinois?
Does BIPA apply to Illinois residents? Many states have similar laws, so it’s a good idea to look up your state’s laws.
What will I do to secure my biometric data?
Always be wary about giving your fingerprints and facial scans anywhere. This man followed the advice in the emails to the letter, so much so that he was subsequently bombarded with emails from as many as 100 or more other companies who either bought Neil’s email address or shared it in exchange for similar info from their own customers or subscribers. Don’t trust your personal information with any company or person if you’ve read their privacy policy and understand it completely.
What Is BIPA, and Where Can I Learn About It?
Click here for more on the BIPA: [https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3004&ChapterID=57 (link is external)]
Sources: www.cna.org/reports/2022/01/Dimensions-of-Autonomous-Decision-making.pdf
