EDWARDSVILLE — A former World Wide Technology employee filed a class action alleging the employer collected employees' biometric information without consent.
Justin Nicol, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, filed a complaint Dec. 31 in the Madison County Circuit Court against World Wide Technology LLC, alleging violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Nicol was employed by World Wide Technology at its Edwardsville facility from 2016 through 2017, according to the class action. He alleges that he and other employees were required to use a fingerprint scanner to clock in on a daily basis, which collected and stored digital copies of the employees' fingerprints.
Nicol claims he never signed a release form or gave World Wide Technology permission to collect his biometric data. He also alleges he was never given an opportunity to stop or prevent the collection of his data. Nicol further claims World Wide Technology did not provide him with a "retention schedule and/or guidelines" regarding the destroying of his biometric information.
Nicol alleges World Wide's collection of employees fingerprints is a violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Nicol and the proposed class seek compensation, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Carl Malmstrom of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLC in Chicago and Frank Hedin and David Hall of Hedin Hall LLP in Miami.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001848