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Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland (SDBN) is finally starting a lawsuit against X. Corp (formerly Twitter), the company that owned ad platform MoPub between 2013 and 2021. In November 2022, SDBN called X. Corp to account for illegally trafficking the personal data of users of more than 30,000 free apps such as Wordfeud, Vinted, Grindr and Duolingo.

Advertising platform MoPub and X. Corp (when it was still called Twitter) illegally collected and traded the data of users of more than 30,000 free apps on smartphones and tablets in the Netherlands between 2013 - 2021. In addition to Wordfeud, Buienradar, Vinted, Shazam and Duolingo, these included numerous fitness apps such as MyFitnessPal, menstruation apps, dating apps such as Grindr and Happn, games for children such as My Talking Tom and apps centered on the Bible or apps targeting Muslims.

Even if app users did not tweet themselves, the free apps allowed X. Corp and MoPub to collect and share personal data for eight years. Consumers did not know with whom and for what purpose X. Corp and MoPub did so. For example, MoPub shared personal data and data about sexual orientation, child desire or religious beliefs on the ad market. This data was then traded on to thousands of parties. They collected far more information than necessary, violating the most important law surrounding the protection of personal data: the AVG.

In November 2022, Stichting Data Bescherming Nederland called the company X. Corp to account for this and started an awareness campaign via the website jestaattekoop.nl. Multiple letters back and forth between SDBN and X. Corp. did not lead to a breakthrough. Hence, SDBN is starting proceedings today at the court in Rotterdam.

SDBN demands compensation on behalf of 11 million Dutch citizens and will claim higher damages for children and victims whose sensitive data was collected, such as that about their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or health. Furthermore, the foundation argues that users are also entitled to profit sharing. That means the total damages claimed could be substantial. The foundation also demands destruction of the unlawfully collected data and personal data by X. Corp and related entities.

Through the website jestaattekoop.nl, anyone who has used the free apps can find information and support the lawsuit. By now, more than ten thousand Dutch people have registered. Victims do not have to pay to participate in this lawsuit.

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