NBA’s Golden State Warriors sued for mic snooping mobile app

In addition, the lawsuit also claims users’ private conversations are recorded and analyzed, and that the microphone eavesdrops on users even when the app is not in use. The app requires constant input, and so it allegedly runs in the background, even while the app is not in use.

The app is created to give fans a way to check on the team scores and states as well as other news headlines.

Signal 360, the company that designed the app, denied the allegations. “Our technology does not intercept, store, transmit, or otherwise use any oral content for marketing purposes or for any other objective”.

Still, if Kevin Durant comes out with guns blazing to start the regular season and cites the fans as the reason for his success, be forewarned that the trash talk you thought was private might have gotten through to the players (but it nearly certainly didn’t).

Upon downloading the free app, which promises “the easiest way to stay current with schedules, scores and news”, fans are prompted to grant permission to use the microphone, but, according to the lawsuit, it does not make clear a reason why the access is needed. It was filed on behalf of NY state resident Latisha Satchell, and the lawsuit seeks class action status so that other smartphone users who installed apps with similar behavior may also seek damages. But the newer beacon technology, developed by Signal360, is said to use smartphone microphones to scan for beacons that send out unique audio signals.

In other words, simply tracking location isn’t the alleged crime – it’s doing so via microphone.

The suit accuses both Signal360 and the Warriors basketball team of violating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. However, the relationship between a diehard fan and a team can be far more personal and intense than that of a curious shopper and 17 retailers looking to offer the best bargain.

At the same time, it’s hard to imagine that a ruling against the Warriors would stop fans from using their phones to track information about their favorite teams. Why they can’t just say they weren’t spying on their fans is beyond me.