CHICAGO — Employees have filed a class action lawsuit against DaBecca Natural Foods Inc., citing alleged violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Danielle Parker and Craig Reed filed a complaint, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, on Feb. 13 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging the Texas corporation failed to exercise care and prudence in protecting member's personal information.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs and other similarly situated employees have suffered damages including invasion of their privacy and threat of exposure of their sensitive information as a result of the allegedly unlawful conduct of the defendant in requiring employees to scan their handprints as an authentication method to track work hours.
The plaintiffs allege DaBecca failed to inform its employees of the complete purposes for which it collects their biometric data; failed to gather signed written release that allowed them to collect or store their employees' biometric information; and failed to provide its employees with a written retention schedule and guidelines for the permanent destruction of employees' scanned handprints.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendant, declaratory and injunctive relief, litigation expenses, attorneys' fees, interest and further relief. Defendants could face damages of $1,000-$5,000 per violation.
Plaintiffs are represented by attorney David J. Fish, of Naperville.
Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 19-CH-1845.